Soc backs drive vs. "colorum" trikes

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Soc Fernandez will not get in the way when the newly-formed City of Talisay-Traffic Operations Division Authority (CT-TODA) begins to run after tricycles without franchises.

Fernandez, who is known for his compassion, said he will support CT-TODA's activities even if it means turning down appeals from drivers.

In the past, Fernandez would pardon a driver apprehended for driving a tricycle without a franchise whenever his clemency was sought.

A "riceta," or note, from Fernandez was all the driver needed to have his impounded tricycle released without having to pay the fine.

As a result, Fernandez's compassion is being blamed for the unregistered tricycles.

Of the 4,000 tricycles running around the city, only about 1,000 are registered.

Early this week, the city council approved a P1 increase in the tricycle fare raising the minimum to P8.

But only a tricycle with fare matrix can collect the new minimum fare.

The city hall said this is to push the drivers and the operators to register their tricycles so they can avail of the new minimum fare.

For his part, Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, chairman on Council committee on Peace and Order, said the CT-TODA, in which he is chairman, is implementing a new system which allows drivers to report tricycles that lack franchises in exchange for a reward