The local government of General Santos City is pushing for a P3 to P11 fare increase for tricycles.

The City Council’s Committee on Transportation said the fare increase will be based on the prevailing prices of gasoline and diesel.

Under the proposal, if fuel prices are P64 per liter or below, the base fare for the first four kilometers will remain at P15. If prices range from P65 to P74 per liter, the fare will increase to P18.

For P75 to P84 per liter, the fare will be P20, and if fuel prices reach P95 per liter and above, the base fare will go up to P26.

An additional P1.25 will also be charged for every succeeding kilometer.

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, gasoline prices have reached P89 per liter while diesel costs about P103 per liter.

Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will still be entitled to a 20 percent discount.

The local government pushed for a fare increase as tricycle drivers say their income had already been affected by the continuous increase in fuel prices.

A tricycle driver said the P15 fare is no longer enough.

“Sa una kusug mi mag warik-warik karung murag alanganin naman kay 15 pesos ra man ang minimum sir. Sauna maglimpyo mi og 800, 900, karun murag pigado na kaayo, kay mahal naman gud ang gasoline,” tricycle driver, Kimkim Sapar, said.

Commuters have mixed reactions to the proposed increase.

“Mabigat na para sa amin kasi malay mo mag increase pa yan sa 30 pesos,” a student, Dareen George Arrivas, said.

“Uyon ra ko basta pud makig coordinate sab ang mga employer sa mga trabahante, kay para fair pud kay kung mutaas pud ang palitunun, mutaas ang gasolina, mutaas ang pamasahe, itaas pud ang sweldo,” a worker, Donna Mae Bongolto, added.

The Public Safety Office said the current P15 fare has been implemented for a long time.

“Kailangan mabuhay din ang ating tricycle drivers. Yung 15 pesos napakatagal na yan. Actually yung discounted is 12, meanng bigyan din natin sila ng chansa na makahabol din sila makapaghanap-buhay,” Public Safety Office Head, Atty. Jong Gonzales, said.

The proposed fare increase is still subject to approval by the City Council.