Tricycle group president agrees with transfer of market to Lagtang

CEBU, Philippines - While his vice president continues to oppose the transfer of the public market to barangay Lagtang, the president of the tricycle drivers association in Talisay City supports the move.

 Boy Bihag, president of Talisay City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, said only about 20 percent of his members, his vice president included, are opposed to the transfer.

 To bring in customers to the new market, the city will also move the terminal for tricycles from barangay Tabunok to Lagtang.

 But Mario Menyamen, vice president of the group, has insisted that 80 to 90 percent of members are on his side.

 Menyamen led the protest rally the other day, where a number of tricycles paraded from Lagtang public market to Tabunok.

 Menyamen claimed 200 drivers joined the rally.

 The rally however did not affect commuters.

 The city, based on its records, has about 1,500 legitimate tricycles plying in all directions within its jurisdiction.

 However, reports say the actual count could go beyond 4,000, and majority of which are likely to be unregistered.

 Both Bihag and Menyamen would not comment whether their members are driving registered tricycles or not.

 Meantime, the protesting group does not only oppose the transfer because it would reportedly burden them further considering its distance and the city has only approved a one-peso increase for it.

 The group is protesting the location of the terminal which it claims is situated on the dangerous part of the new market, being a reclaimed part of the riverbank.

 However, the city hall maintains that the terminal is still under construction and that an environment compliance certificate has already been released for the new market facility which means the Environmental Management Bureau has found that its location is safe. - THE FREEMAN