The Dumaguete Sangguniang Panlungsod will vote on Councilor Saleto Erames' repeal measure of City Ordinance No. 88 during its regular session today.

This comes in the wake of a snowballing demand from pedicab drivers and operators to scrap the controversial measure that hiked the mayor's permit fee from P27 to P400 and the franchise fee from P460 to P860. Dicen authored the measure which had been returned to its origin by the city council for deficiency.

The city, though, has implemented the measure.

Erames said he has been assured of five votes to repeal the ordinance, believing that the mayor's permit and franchise fees must remain at P27 and P460, respectively, as provided for under the city's tax ordinance.

Also questioned was the provision for a trust fund, which requires that 70 percent of the collection must be deposited and released as loan to pedicab drivers and operators.

Mayor Agustin Perdices announced at a cable television program the city is ready to refund the excess amount the drivers paid to the city in case the ordinance is repealed.

At least 90 percent of the city's estimated 3,500 pedicab drivers have paid their fees, Vice Mayor William Ablong had said.

But Benedicto Credo, president of the Banilad Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association also said at the same program that, they have no choice but to pay both fees otherwise they would not be able to support their families.

Credo said most drivers had to borrow from Indian moneylenders to meet the required amount.*RG

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