CEBU, Philippines - Of around 3,000 tricycles currently traversing Talisay City roads, only 1800 of them have franchise.
Talisay Licensing Head Mary Jane Enrile said the 1,200, or around 40 percent of all tricycle units, which do not have the franchise, pose a risk to the residents.
“Ang epekto ani, nabutang sa kakuyaw ang ilang kinabuhi kay ing kaso madisgrasya ma-thank you ang insurance (dili mobayad),” she said, adding that most illegal tricycles only operate at night.
She said tricycles with franchise can be easily identified through a unique silver-colored sticker found on the front of the units.
She said the 1,200 could not also be issued the franchise, which costs P450 and renewable every year, since the city is limiting the number of tricycles to only 1,800.
For his part, City of Talisay Traffic Operations Development Authority head Almond dela Peña said it is up to the City Council if its members would amend the city ordinance regulating the operation of tricycles in the city to increase the number of franchise holders.
He said tricycle drivers should visit their office after the renewal of their unit’s franchise so his personnel could inspect the tricycles and identify the colorum or illegal units.
“Magbuhat ta og lakang nga kinahanglan mohapit sa CT-TODA office for inspection of the unit kung pwede pa ba siya padaganon, dili ba dilapidated, at the same time if he is legitimate or registered owner sa franchise, mo-coincide ba ang documents,” Dela Peña said.
He, however, said they would wait for a directive from the city’s licensing office for them to conduct apprehensions against illegal tricycles. As of the moment, CT-TODA would demand for the franchise if the driver commits any violation. (FREEMAN)