MAYOR Isko Moreno called upon public utility drivers in the city of Manila not to overcharge their passengers specially now that we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
Moreno’s pronouncement came after receiving complaints that some unscrupulous drivers of pedicabs and tricycles are making their passengers pay more than what is actually allowed under the fare rate set by the city government.
The mayor said that he himself was once a driver of pedicab but that he never duped anyone and earned a living in a fair manner.
“What goes around, comes around. Matakot po tayo sa karma. Hindi po maganda na tayo ay nanlalamang ng ating kapwa, lalupa’t tayo ay nasa gitna ng pandemya,” he said.
Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) chief Dennis Viaje was tasked by Moreno to meet with the said drivers and warn them against taking undue advantage of their passengers.
The drivers, according to Moreno, are supposed to charge only P20 for the first kilometer and then P5 for every additional half kilometer.
“Hindi po tayo tolongges o naging abusado noong tayo ay isang pedicab driver kaya naman ang pakiusap ko po sa mga drayber ay sundin ang itinakdang fare rate sa ating mga pedicab at tricycle,” the mayor said.
Moreno said that ‘contracting’ is not allowed and that any abuses will not be tolerated, as he appealed for compassion to others during these difficult times.
He stressed that just like the said drivers themselves, the passengers are also hard up on money otherwise they would be riding in cars.
