Panglao, Bohol: A tourist from Manila shared her unpleasant experience with a tricycle driver who tried to scam her and treated her rudely in Bohol.
Jea Dungo posted on Facebook about the incident that happened on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
According to Dungo, she flew from Manila to Bohol Panglao International Airport and was offered a ride by a tricycle driver for 250 pesos to her hotel.
She said that the hotel was only 6 minutes (2 km) away from the airport. When she was about to pay, the driver told her that he did not have change for her 1,000-peso bill. He also refused to accept GCASH and even asked her to give him the 1,000 pesos as an “early Christmas gift”.
Dungo said that the driver then told her to ask the front desk of her resort if they had smaller bills. When the resort staff said they did not have any, the driver took her to a nearby store and told her to buy something.
Dungo said that the driver did not help her talk to the store owners and was very rude to her. He also kept on telling her that she should have taken a tour instead.
Dungo said that the store owner was very kind and changed her money into smaller bills. She then went back to the tricycle and paid the driver 250 pesos. However, the driver complained that it was not enough because they went back and forth. He also started smoking and blew the smoke towards her. He then shouted at her and drove away.
Dungo said that she was very frustrated by the way the driver talked down to her and tried to scam her.
She said that she had been to Bohol last year and liked how people there were accommodating and kind. She said that she was about to give him a tip but not as big as 1,000 pesos. She also said that she valued the efforts of other people but the driver’s behavior was unacceptable.
Dungo’s post has gone viral on Facebook, with many netizens expressing their sympathy and anger towards the driver.
Some also shared their own experiences with tricycle drivers in Bohol and advised tourists to be careful and vigilant.
Some also called on the local government and tourism authorities to take action against abusive drivers who tarnish the image of Bohol as a tourist destination.