Condor-Piston slams trike passenger limit

NAGA CITY---The Concerned Drivers and Operators-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Condor-Piston) in the Bicol region has criticized Naga City Ordinance No. 2020-40 for causing hardship to both drivers and commuters.

In an interview, Ramon Rescovilla, Condor-Piston’s spokesman said that the ordinance complicated both the drivers and commuters’ lives during this Covid-19 crisis.

He said that the ordinance has increased the drivers’ expenses on gasoline while the passenger pays more than twice the minimum fare.

Last week, the Naga City Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) enacted the ordinance, which limits tricycle load to one passenger only as precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19.

The ordinance passed as a general community quarantine (GCQ) measure ordered a P20 fare for a passenger per trip and P16 discounted fare for seniors, persons with disability (PWD) and students.

Rescovilla said the city government should have prioritized the distribution of financial assistance to tricycle and jeepney drivers to help their families during the enhanced and general community quarantine (ECQ/GCQ) period.

He also said that city officials should have initiated free mass testing to lessen the risk of mass infection. He said mass testing ensures safety to drivers and passengers.