DAVAO CITY – The Tricycle Alliance of Davao City filed an urgent fare increase petition on Tuesday, March 24, due to surging fuel prices, rising inflation, and unsustainable operating costs.

In a petition dated March 24, they appealed to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, through Vice Mayor Rodrigo S. Duterte II, before the City Council during its regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod to approve a revised fare matrix.

Tricycle operators and drivers from several cooperatives, including 57 associations, attended the session to push for a fare increase after filing a request with the Committee on Transportation led by Councilor Jose Marie Bernardo Baluran.

According to the group, the P10 minimum fare for the first kilometer has not changed since May 2020, despite inflation rising by more than 28 percent, and added that the current rates no longer match today's costs.

The group also pointed to the March 17 "big-time" fuel price hike, saying gasoline prices rose to about P91.69 per liter—around 140 percent higher than the P38 per liter rate when fares were last set.

Michael Ybañez of the Tricycle Alliance of Davao City said operating costs for drivers have effectively tripled, with many earning take-home pay of only P300 to P400 a day, and in some cases less, after deducting fuel and boundary expenses.

The petition added that tricycles operate on short, localized routes where fuel consumption per passenger is higher, making the P1 rate for succeeding kilometers "mathematically unsustainable."

They proposed minimum fare of P20 for the first kilometer, P5 for each succeeding kilometer, and continued implementation of the 20 percent discount for senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and students.

It also included commitments to professionalize operations, ensure that all units are properly registered with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office, and eliminate fare haggling by strictly adhering to the approved matrix.

Ybañez, who also heads the Mamay Transport Service Cooperative, emphasized that the proposed P10 increase is necessary to help drivers sustain their families amid rising global fuel prices.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved fare hike petitions filed by transport groups in the Davao region but President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. suspended the scheduled increase on March 19 to avoid burdening the people.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, acknowledged the economic strain caused by global tensions that have affected oil prices.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum on Tuesday afternoon, Dayanghirang said the city government is assessing possible responses, including budget adjustments, subsidies, and policy measures to mitigate the impact.

The councilor said the fuel price increase leads to higher costs in transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and food distribution, affecting households, transport operators, farmers, and small businesses.

Dayanghirang floated proposals such as a four-day work week to reduce energy costs and expanding policies supporting electric vehicles, including allowing electric bicycles and motorcycles greater access to roads and bike lanes.

"The response depends on the national government. In Davao City, the mayor is already studying it. I'm advocating for a four-day work week and amendments to local rules to allow electric vehicles on highways and let e-bikes use bike lanes," he said.

Dayanghirang added that while no specific funds have yet been allocated for subsidies, especially to the affected sectors, the city may review its 2026 budget and consider emergency measures if necessary.

The alliance urged Davao City officials to act on the petition with urgency, warning that without fare adjustments, many drivers may struggle to continue operating, affecting both their livelihoods and public transport availability in the city.