Port trisikad operators take aid offer from CPA

The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has successfully convinced some members of the Cebu Port Area Trisikad Operators Association (CPATOA) to take the P7,000 assistance to each of them despite the resistance from the latter's officers that the offer is too small.

At least 135 of the over 236 trisidad operators/drivers have already signed an agreement giving up their units in exchange of the financial aid from the CPA, which allocated over P1.6 million in financial assistance to the CPATOA.

Cebu City Urban Poor consultant Gerry Marquez, who is closely coordinating with CPA officials over the release of the financial aid, said they are giving the remaining trisikad drivers until today to surrender their units.

"Starting Monday it will be a free zone na for trisikad sa pantalan kay kadtong wala modawat sa bayad dakpon na man. There will be a task force para maoy modakop nila and this will be composed by CITOM (City Traffic Operations Management), CPA security and PNP (Philippine National Police) maritime command," Marquez said.

CPATOA president Jun Jarantilla yesterday tried but failed to convince some of their members not to accept the financial aid since they are still to resolve the issue on how much assistance should be given to them.

"Wa na tay mahimo kun manawat gyud sila," Jarantilla said.

Urban poor leader Edward Ligas, who had a meeting with some trisikad drivers, yesterday expressed disappointment over those who accepted the financial assistance.

"Ang among hangyo i-undang lang unta temporarily ang binayranay kay atong hisgotan unta ang makiangayan nga bayad kay naka-afford man gani ang CPA ug P20,000 sa mga vendors," Ligas said.

Ligas said the CPATOA members should stick to their original demands of getting P20,000 financial aid and for them to be allowed to use the Arellano Boulevard as alternative route for trisikad drivers.

"It's really disappointing and CPA has succeeded in enticing them to accept the money," Ligas said.

Earlier this month, over 200 stalls at the pier area were demolished after their owners were given P20,000 each as relocation fund. - Ramil V. Ayuman/LPM