Fourteen tricycle drivers in Surigao City now have a significant new income stream, thanks to their recent certification as official tour guides by the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (CTCAO).

The initiative brings the total number of licensed tricycle guides in the city to 27, offering a direct economic advantage to these local transporters, according to Roselyn Merlin, Surigao City tourism officer.

Starting Tuesday, Merlin said the newly certified guides can earn additional income by sharing the city’s stories and sights with local and foreign tourists. Thirteen tricycle drivers, trained and certified for the same role last year, are already seeing the benefits.

“Their certification came after undergoing a series of training conducted by the city government and the CTCAO,” Merlin said in a phone interview.

She said the training included essential skills like tour guiding, the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence, and a city familiarization tour, preparing the drivers to provide quality service.

To support the drivers during their training, the city government provided PHP1,500 to each of the 14 participants to cover their two-day income.

While not yet accredited with the Department of Tourism, these drivers are now officially licensed and registered with the CTCAO, Merlin said, opening immediate opportunities for increased earnings.

Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II and Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra welcomed the new certified tour guides during a ceremony on Monday, highlighting the city’s commitment to supporting local livelihoods.

More income

The CTCAO offers standard tour packages with rates designed to provide a direct income source for the tricycle driver-guides.

Merlin said “all the package rates will go directly to a tricycle driver-guide as their income for the day.”

For example, the Heritage Tour, featuring sites like the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral and the BOSS (Battle of Surigao Strait) Memorial and Museum, costs PHP1,000 per person for a group of four. This package, running from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., includes admission fees, the tricycle ride, and snacks, all contributing to the driver’s earnings.

Other lucrative packages include: Caves in Silop and Mapawa at PHP1,500 per person for four; Day-asan Mangrove, Water Village, and Silop Cave at PHP2,000 per person for four; and Mabua and Ipil Pebble Beach with sunset viewing at PHP650 per person for four.

Dayton Angeles Pangadlin, 41, a certified guide from Barangay Anomar, underscored the financial benefits.

“I have been involved in tour guiding for over a year, and it has significantly helped my family, especially with income and other needs,” he said in a Tuesday interview.

Pangadlin said the peak months for tour guiding, which bring in the most income, are December, January, and the period around the Surigao City feast day in September.

During summer, while many tourists visit island beaches, he said, there is still consistent demand for mainland tours, ensuring a steady flow of potential earnings for these drivers. (PNA)