Trike operators support new traffic policy

CEBU, Philippines - The National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines - Mandaue City Chapter is supporting the move of the Mandaue City government banning the colorum tricycles from plying the city streets.

Jobert Nemenzo, chairman of NACTODAP Mandaue Chapter, expressed his support to the move as it would “help clear the streets with unregistered tricycles and help ease up traffic congestion.”

“Kanang mga members namo, halos tanan registered gyud na sa city. Ang uban ongoing pa ang process sa for-hire registration,” Nemenzo said.

He also belied reports that they are plying these major thoroughfares in the city, saying it is prohibited by  their franchise based on national law. 

Another challenge that their organization is facing is the process of registering for-hire tricycles at the Land Transportation Office in Mandaue City as most members reportedly experience long delays on the release of their registration.

They are also worried on the increase in franchising fee, as it has now doubled from the usual P570. They were supposed to pay this every three years but what happened now, he said, is that from the usual three years, the term was cut short because the paying of franchise fee at the City Hall is now yearly.

Requesting not to be named, a 43-year-old resident of Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City, who is a former traffic enforcer but has long been driving an unregistered tricycle, was dismayed over the traffic team’s operation as it would definitely stop his means of living.

“Unsa naman la’y among ibuhi sa among pamilya? Unta hatagan mi nila og laing panginabuhian sa dili pa sila manakop namo,” he said.

Earlier this week, Edwin Ermac, director of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, announced that the operation against colorum tricycles in the city has been ongoing.

Ermac said the only way to prevent them from plying is to issue them with a TOP for their violation.

Once a new policy will be implemented, colorum tricycles will be made to pay P7,000.

At present there are around 7,000 tricycle plying the city streets of Mandaue and only 3,000 of them are registered with the city government.  (FREEMAN)