SP set to override veto on trike fare
THE executive and legislative bodies in Dagupan City may clash anew over the ordinance increasing the minimum tricycle fare from P7 to P10 for the first three kilometers and an additional P2 every kilometer thereafter.
Members of the majority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) said they are determined to override a possible veto on the ordinance by Mayor Benjamin Lim who has publicly expressed disagreement to the new fare rates.
Lim wants the P10 minimum fare to cover three kilometers instead of just two as contained in the ordinance.
The consensus was confirmed by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, then acting mayor from May 30 to June 6 when Lim left for Germany on a personal trip, who said she consulted with the eight members of the SP majority who agreed to override a possible veto.
The ordinance was passed by a unanimous vote of the SP, eight in the majority and four in the minority.
To override a veto, the SP will need nine votes.
However, Councilor Brian Lim, the mayor’s son and head of the minority, may likely turn around and contradict his earlier vote and support the mayor’s veto.
“In that case, the members of the majority will appeal to the minority for their sense of duty and fair play since the welfare of the tricycle drivers and operators is at stake,” she said. “They realized this when they readily supported the ordinance,” Fernandez said.
Lim has until 15 days from the receipt of the ordinance to interpose his veto otherwise the same would lapse into vg law.
Fernandez also stressed that the SP, through the committee on public utilities headed by Councilor Karlos Reyna, conducted a long public hearing on the issue with the representatives of all stakeholders in attendance.
The ordinance was enacted by the SP following a petition filed by the Federation Accredited Tricycle Organization of Dagupan (FATODAG) last year.
Fernandez said the tricycle drivers and operators need the increased fare to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel and spare parts.
The SP previously overrode a veto of the mayor on franchises issued to tricycles when Lim challenged the authority of the SP to issue franchises.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
