Transport groups, particularly the different tricycle organizations in Dumaguete City, are poised to stage picket rallies and a transports strike if their demands are not met.

They said they are accepting the challenge of going to court by questioning City Ordinance No. 88 that raised their mayor's permit fee from P27 to P400, an increase of 1,900 percent.

The transport groups, along with the Kilusang Mayo Uno, launched yesterday the so-called "Piso-piso para sa TRO (Temporary Restraining Order)" or a declaratory relief, aside from questioning the city ordinance before the Oriental Negros Sanggunian.

At a press briefing yesterday, Ian Ronald Evidente of the KMU said such imposition is unjust, excessive and violative of the taxing powers of local governments.

A petition is presently being signed by majority of the pedicab drivers in Dumaguete including those with routes and this will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its review.

Benedicto Credo, president of the Banilad Tricycle Drivers Association, said only officers were called to the public hearing on the increase in mayor's permit fee, and that the opinion of the members were overshadowed by that of their president.

Cirilo Collado, spokesperson of the almost 2,000 tricycle drivers said they were not also called during the public hearing, having no officers among their ranks.

He said there are more than 3,000 tricycle drivers for roving pedicabs, some of them are extra drivers, who also have to acquire a mayor's permit to avoid sanctions.

They were given until April 3 to acquire their mayor's permits, with an assurance from the City Mayor's Office that the present fee be reduced by P100.*

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