Tricycle drivers, commuters still suffer from oil, fare hikes

The Philippines is indeed soaring high! Only, in terms of oil price and fare rates.

In an interview conducted by The Grain on March 29 and 30, 2023, some members of the Gate 1 Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association shared that their way of living was adversely affected due to the price hike.

“Malaki ang epekto lalo na noong panahon [ng pandemic] kasi wala namang gaanong sumasakay; tumatawad pa ang mga pasahero,” one of the tricycle drivers, who preferred to be addressed anonymously, said.

Regarding the fare rate, he said that there was not much difference between the rate during the pandemic and the rate today.

“Bumaba na kahit papaano ‘yung pamasahe kumpara

[noong pandemic]; hindi naman bumaba ang gasolina. Pero wala pa ring gaanong namamasahe, karamihan may service na,” the tricycle driver added.

On the other hand, Jessel Bautista, a student-teacher from the Central Luzon State University who takes her internship in SJCNHS, shared how the price hike affected her as a commuter.

“Noong unang beses akong mag-commute noong pandemic, nagulat ako kasi biglang tumaas nang doble iyong presyo ng pamasahe,” Bautista said.

She added that her budget was the most affected factor.

“Sobrang laki ng naging epekto ng price hike dahil halos lahat sa allowance ay napupunta na lang sa pamasahe,” the student-teacher stated.

Manugue sits as LGU’s education chairperson

City councilor Evangel Shalom S. Manugue has bridged the Department of Education and Local Government Unit by heading the education committee since taking office in July 2022.

The education sector has been one of the councilor’s interests even before taking the position.

“One of my platforms that I shared during my campaign was for the educational sector,” she said in an interview with The Grain via Google meet.

The councilor added that she came from a family of educators and was a Senior High School teacher in St. John’s

Academy before entering politics.

When they officially became city councilors, Manugue clarified that their committee roles were not ‘assigned’ but rather ‘voted’ upon.

“Hindi assigned; hindi rin namin pinili. Nagbotohan kami. Thankfully, noong nagbotohan naman kami sa Sanggunian, wala namang kumontra with the idea of me being the chairman on education,” the education representative said.

EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

Moreover, she shared that schools are built within each barangay with the help of the LGU. “Nag-launch lang kami