`Rela’ drivers rejoice

City Council finally approves petition for P1 fare hike; the ordinance now awaits the signature of Mayor Moreno

The City Council has approved on Monday the motorela petition for a fare hike of P1, the first in ten years, and is seen to help motorela drivers keep up with the increasing prices of basic commodities in the market.

City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairman of the committee on public utilities, said the rising cost of petroleum products and commodities is one of the reasons why they considered the approval of the transport group’s proposal.

The ordinance now awaits the signature of City Mayor Oscar Moreno, and as soon as it is signed, the new motorela regular fare rate would be P7.

Under the newlyapproved ordinance, the new motorela rate is set at P7 for the regular fare, P5.50 for high school and college students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), while elementary pupils’ fare is at P4.

The new ordinance also punishes drivers found guilty for overcharging, and will be required to pay an administrative fine of P500.

The motorela group requested for a fare increase from P5 to P6 for students, senior citizens and PWDs but Lao said they cannot give the

P1 increase for this category because it is prohibited under the law.

“It’s in the law that you do not exceed 20% increase for this group, so we instead approved a 50 cents increase,” he said.

Two motorela groups, the Alyansa-mP3 (Makatarunganong Usbaw, Pletehan alang sa Pamilya ug mga Pasahero) and the Federation of Motorela Operators and Drivers in Cagayan de Oro (FEMODCO) had submitted the

Two motorela groups, the AlyansamP3 (Makatarunganong Usbaw, Pletehan alang sa Pamilya ug mga Pasahero) and the Federation of Motorela Operators and Drivers in Cagayan de Oro (FEMODCO) had submitted the petitions to increase fare rates.