Tricycle drivers back regulation ordinance

CEBU - Tricycle drivers in Cebu City are supportive of the proposed ordinance that regulates the operations of tricycles during a public hearing held by the City Council yesterday.

Under the proposed ordinance, operation of tricycles is only limited to selected roads in the city and that a tricycle operator is not allowed to own more than two units.

At least four persons representing the tricycle drivers’ associations in the city spoke before the council during the public hearing.

Councilor Joey Daluz III said the council will not stop the operation of tricycles but is just regulating them to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

But he added that the council will impose sanctions on drivers and operators who violate the rules that will contribute to traffic congestions and put the riding public to danger.

Once the ordinance is approved, tricycles operating in the city are also only allowed to travel within the area stated in their franchise.

Although it was suggested that the tricycles will operate like taxi units that have no specific routes, Daluz suggested that tricycles are to be painted with colors that would make it easy to identify the zone where they operate.

“Aw wala g’yoy pagsupak ana basta nga dili na lang mi panguyawan nga dakpon sa mga traffic enforcers bisan og tua na mi mag-operate sa interior portion sa barangay,” one of the tricycle drivers in barangay Tisa said.

There are more than a thousand tricycles presently operating in barangays Punta Princesa, Tisa, Labangon, Basak-Cabreros, Pardo, Bulacao, Inayawan and Buhisan.

These tricycles usually caused traffic congestions because they operate along national roads and many drivers lack the knowledge on proper driving.

Daluz suggested that drivers of tricycles-for-hire will be slapped with a fine of P1,000 if caught operating beyond their zones, and P2,000 for those who use their private tricycles to hire passengers for a fee.

The units would be also impounded.

Only two units can be registered under one operator who must be a resident of the barangay where he wished to operate his business, and he must have a driver’s license. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)