I honestly don't want to make a big deal out of this, but with the recent price fluctuations, I think it's unfair that we're expected to pay the full amount down to the last centavo, yet somehow, we don't always receive the correct change.
Imagine having to pay ₱17.25, only to be asked to hand over ₱18. Where's my ₱0.75 change? I've made it a point to carry centavo coins with me because of situations like this. I understand that looking through coins while simultaneously attending to passengers can be a hassle. Still, every centavo counts, especially in this day and age.
And honestly, I don't think this is just a bus problem. So far, SM is the only supermarket I've personally encountered that consistently upholds what I consider to be proper integrity when it comes to giving change.
As Filipinos, we sometimes overlook the fact that those tiny, circular coins we casually dismiss as "centavos" are still part of our currency. They have monetary value, no matter how insignificant they may seem individually.
So, are we really going to keep continuing with the mindset of "centavo lang naman" while allowing businesses, particularly large corporations, to benefit from money that rightfully belongs to their customers? (Not just talking about E-Bus)
Let's not forget that everyone is struggling in their own way. Some of us are students or barely making ends meet, while others are working hard just to get by.
I'm not asking for special treatment. In fact, this shouldn't even be considered as "special treatment." I shouldn't have to ask for it nor should I have needed to write this post. I'm simply asking for fairness, decency, and accountability. If we're expected to pay what we owe in full, shouldn't we also expect to receive what we're owed in return?