Tricycles of Catbalogan – 4 pesos can get you anywhere you want to go in the congested town of Catbalogan.
Hundreds of drivers keep Catbalogan humming. Parking spaces are scarce because this town is located in a crowded valley surrounded by hills so real estate is at a premium.
When I first arrived here in 2007, the fare was 3 pesos per person but the drivers were granted a one peso rate increase by the city. The drivers can clear up to 200 pesos a day after paying the 60 peso “boundary” for rental of the trike .
Catbalogan tricycle driver by the city market.
Catbalogan Market
Trike driver.
A tricycles driver takes a break by one of the fruit stands outside of Mercury Drug Store across from Jolibees.
View from inside a trike.
Two tricycle drivers wait for customers outside Lucky99 department store.
Catbalogan street outside Mercury drugstore
Some tricycles run at night and use oil lanterns in a bottle for a headlight.
Most of the drivers rent their tricycle from owners that might have a fleet of 20 to 30 rigs. The going rate is 60 pesos per day.
Some drivers really hustle for their pay and start early and drive ’till dark.
Others make a bit of money and then lounge in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Their income is controlled by their incentive to work but the ones that are making out the best are the fleet owners.
Tricycles of Catbalogan
Tricycles passing by Jolibees in Catbalogan
I spent a year here in Catbalogan and it kind of grew on me.
Everyone uses these tricycles to get around. They really help keeping pollution to a minimum downtown.
Students use tricycles to get back and forth from their boarding houses to school.
Charitos restaurant – Catbalogan
Happy kid on the roof.
Future tricycle fleet owner.
Traffic jam
Tricycles wait for the parade to pass.
Trike driver.
Tricycles of Catbalogan
DP,
I loved that town of Catbalogan when we visited it in October 2007 after our caving trip with Johnny at Calbiga Caves…We stayed at the Rolet Hotel very nice place to stay…yes had a ride in one of those peddle powered tricycles.
I arrive back into Manila on the 14th of November and can’t wait for my next Philippines adventure.
MG
Being a passenger in a trike was quite the experience. I miss the colours of catbalogan!
Hi Meg,
You look cool in that hockey uniform! I like your video – very cool – especially the bit with the Philippine python :) there in Bohol!
more video with Prony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHPq9CdMfCU
dp
Hello,
do you know of any room for rent or apartment in catbalogan that’s affordable, preferably around 2k per month. I’d like to stay in the place more than just a vacation.
Costs have risen in the past few years in Catbalogan and it would be highly unlikely to find an apartment at that low price.
When I stayed in Catbalogan I was paying around 4 to 5 k per month – but that was in the years 2006/7 – expect to pay around 7,000 plus for a decent place.
dp