Talisay tricycle drivers bare registration woes

CEBU, Philippines - Some tricycle drivers plying Talisay City routes are complaining against the City of Talisay-Traffic Operations and Development Authority over some regulations they find absurd.

One of the tricycle drivers, who refused to be named, said the CT-TODA has required the unit owner to be present when they renew their franchise.

“Unya kay wa man diri ang tag-iya? Unsaon na kung ni-abroad o namatay na, paarion gyud nila? (What if the owner is not here? What if they went overseas or have died?)” said the driver.

City licensing officer Jane Enrile said this is the first time that the traffic group has required the same.

Enrile said there are a lot of drivers who are complaining to her because some of them cannot present the owner of the franchise. She said she is worried that with the new requirement, there will be more units that run without franchises.

There are reportedly more than 3,000 tricycle units in the city, but only around 1,000 of them have franchises.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who heads the CT-TODA, told The FREEMAN that the requirement being asked for the renewal of the franchise is not a "total burden" on the part of drivers.

"I think it is fair in order to prevent duplication and fixers," Villarante said. 

According to Villarante, if  they cannot present the owner, it does not necessarily mean their franchise will not be renewed. He said the owner may present a special power of attorney or a written authority from the owner that they are renewing their franchise.  (FREEMAN)