TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- A tricycle driver plying Carig subdivision route in this city is set to face a complaint from the Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU), after reportedly threatening a passenger who refused to transfer to his tricycle.
The complaint was filed by passenger Mark Cadiente and was personally received and signed by TRU head Andres Baccay on Wednesday, February 7.
In a post, Cadiente said he was being forced to transfer into another trike bound for a subdivision near Cagayan State University-Carig on Tuesday, February 6.
Cadiente had to reject the tricy driver’s request because he had dextroscoliosis, and sitting in the driver’s seat would make it uncomfortable for him.
“Pagkababa sa akin sa terminal, nagtatanong ako kung may pupuntang CSU Subdi [pero] walang sumasagot. May lumapit na isang trike driver at pinipilit akong sumakay sa tricy niya para makaalis na raw siya tutal going to subdi na raw siya at ako lang daw yung walang kasama. The consequence sa baby sit ako kung sakali. As much as possible ayaw ko talagang umupo sa baby sit dahil nga sa dextroscoliosis ko. Kailangan kong umupo sa may sandalan lalo na kapag mejo malayo-layo ang travel. Sasakit yung likod ko kapag nagkataon,” he explained in a post.
The trike driver reportedly remarked “Arte” to Cadiente. “Dahil medyo pagod ako, iba yung dating sa akin at nasagot ko siya [driver],” Cadiente said.
Out of anger, Cadiente told the driver he would still pay P15 despite being aware of the current P11 fare.
He told the driver he would file a complaint to the TRU for overcharging and forcing a passenger to ride a unit.
The tricycle was colored orange and had a case number of 93-1400.
“Sige kahit isumbong mo pa ako. Sabihin mo pang presidente ako ng toda ng carig kapag gabi,” the driver reportedly told Cadiente.
The driver then threatened, “Tatandaan ko yang mukha mo para alam ko na susunod. Sige magsumbong ka.”
“Akala siguro ni kuya driver hindi ko gagawin. Pinipilit kong intindihin minsan mga ibang trike driver pero nakakawala ng composure. Mukha pa man din akong propesor kanina. Baka anong sabihin ng apat na estudyante na nakasabayan ko,” Cadiente added.
The city government’s TRU earlier advised the public to get erring trike drivers’ case numbers and report them immediately.
Meanwhile, Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) chief Adello Cauilan reportedly told Bombo Radyo Tuguegarao they petitioned to make the P10 minimum fare to P15.
The P5 increase in minimum fare is due to increased oil prices as a result of imposition of taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, Cauilan said.
The Forum received reports that several tricycle drivers have been collecting P15 minimum fare from Centro, Tuguegarao City, despite no legislation and approval of the petition.
You may send reports to The Forum and we will assist in filing complaints against violators. Northernforum.net
