City gov’t resumes franchise hearing on trikes
After three months of no operation, the public hearing on tricycle franchise has resumed on June 18 drawing a total of 336 tricycle drivers and operators in attendance at the Rizal Park.
There were around 264 applicants who filed a petition for the renewal of MTOP, while the other 50 requested for transfer of MTOP Franchise and 22 petitioned for unit substitution. The number of applicants’ subject for the hearing was divided into two (2) sets with only 21 people per hour accommodated in adherance to the rules of physical distancing.
City Councilor Francis Ross Dideles, chair of the council’s committee on transportation, energy conservation and communication, spearheaded the activity with several members of the Franchising Unit, PNP Traffic and City Transport & Traffic Management offices.
Supposedly, these tricycles were set to be inspected last March 19, but due to the existing COVID-related issuances, the office of the committee chair was not allowed to conduct such activity.
Further, franchise hearing for April, May and June applicants will be set in July. Meanwhile, approved MTOP will be released within 3-4 weeks from date of hearing.
The franchise hearing is scheduled every 3rd Thursday of every month.
On the other hand, in an interview with Cllr Dideles, he said that his office has not yet received formal complaints about tricycle drivers who charged exorbitant fares to passengers.
Moreover, the councilor and the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) are willing to act if there will be any complaints filed. On the other hand, conducting a consultation dialogue with the transport group is also an initiative to address complaints on trike drivers violating the fare matrix.
“Nami nga ma-inform kami nga may formal complaints. Ang amon siguro kay mag coordinate sa opisina sang city traffic kag an-awon ang records sang mga taga Koronadal nga gareklamo sa fare. Bisitahon man ang ano nga opisina nga makapangayo kami records kung pila gid ang ga-complain,” Councilor Dideles said.
It was in 2014, when the Sangguniang Panlungsod acted an ordinance adjusting the city’s tricycle fares through virtue of Ordinance No. 21.