Some residents of Dagupan City said tricycle drivers are asking for fares higher than the usual amount due to difficulty in navigating flooded streets but rates would reportedly way more than expected.

For example, “City,” not her real name, was made to pay P400 for a tricycle ride to Barangay Malued from a terminal on Perez Boulevard.

“Ang sabi po, ‘yun daw po ang pinakamababang rate nila. Pati po ‘yung ibang tricycle driver, parang nagtulungan po sila na ‘yun po ‘yung talagang singil daw po dapat nila,” Cindy said.

Her story is an example of growing concerns about tricycle drivers allegedly taking advantage of the recent flooding to overcharge passengers.

But so far, no formal complaints have been filed with the city’s Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).

“Panawagan sa mga tricycle driver, huwag nang umabot na may mag-complaint sa amin at makuha ‘yung sticker number nila at agad po natin silang iimbitahan sa POSO,” Rexon De Vera, POSO Deputy Chief, said.

Still, not all drivers are involved in the alleged overcharging.

Jonathan Daroya, a tricycle driver, said he maintains transparency with passengers to avoid misunderstandings.

“['Yung pasahero] kusa siyang nagdadagdag kasi nakakaintindi siya... 'yung iba kasi [na tricycle driver], medyo garapal na sila eh,” Daroya said.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Dagupan has extended the settlement deadline for traffic violations and the validity of expired driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registrations.

This extension applies to documents that lapsed from July 21 to 25, 2025 now valid until August 8, 2025.

“This is due to the severe damages caused by — alam naman natin na tatlong typhoons ang dumaan. Ito ‘yung Typhoon Crising, Dante, and Emong. At talagang nasalanta ang halos lahat ng parte ng Pilipinas,” Romel Dawaton, Chief of the LTO Dagupan District Office, said.