CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Teodulfo “Bong” Lao Jr. has downplayed the threat of possible transport strike by tricab or “bao-bao” drivers, saying it cannot affect the daily commute of Kagay-anons.

Lao, public utilities committee chair, said “bao-bao” are all operating illegally and not recognized by the city as a public mode of transportation.

But, Lao admitted that tricabs are a big help for commuters at night when public utility jeepneys are no longer available.

He said the absence of jeepneys at night led to an increased number of bao-bao.

Lao said tricabs sprung up like mushrooms and if left unregulated these may pick up passengers not only at night but even during day time.

“In previous committee meetings, nag-advise nata nila nga barangay to barangay nalang unta sila ug gihatag nato nga authority sa barangay nga unta sila mo-issue ug permit and only limit the number of units,” he said.

The city government also cannot grant permit to tricabs as the government prepares for the transport modernization program.

“Paingon man ta sa modernization so ma phase out ra gihapon sila. Kung itugot nato sila unya puhon full implementation na sa modernization, we will face another problem kay mangayo napud sila ug assistance kay na displace naman pud sila,” Lao said.

Some 70 “bao-bao” were apprehended in Puerto highway, Captain Vicente Roa and Corrales streets since October for entering a prohibited area and passing along the national highway.