Discounts on Mandaue trike franchises up until Jan. 30

CEBU, Philippines – Tricycle units in Mandaue City will have until the end of this month to get a 50 percent discount on franchise and other applicable fees.

The Mandaue City Council has already approved the ordinance which grants all tricycle-for-hire units discounts which are applicable when they apply from December 15, 2015 to January 30 this year.

“Whereas, the granting of a special price for all applicable fees encourages current public utility tricycle operators, including delinquent ones, with existing franchise to renew the same at a specified period of time,” read a portion of the approved ordinance authored by Councilor Elstone Dabon.

The same ordinance also waives monthly penalties to expired franchise, also meant to invite all units to renew their franchises.

It is also to “encourage” applicants to apply at the earliest possible time.

“Of most importance, the city of Mandaue does not tolerate illegal plying of public utility tricycles in the city and will find all possible means to prevent illegal tricycle operators with no franchise to ply within the territorial jurisdiction,” the ordinance read.

Under City Ordinance No. 13-2014-904, the current filing fee for tricycle-for-hire is P100 while the franchise is P500 per unit.

The payment for substitution unit is P100, the “supervision” fee is P120 and the inspection fee from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue is P50.

The penalty for expired franchise is P100 per month. And if the owners renew their franchise between December 15 to January 30, the rates are discounted by half. — Liv G. Campo (FREEMAN)