TRICYCLE drivers and operators can operate once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Mandaue City will be downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ).
The Mandaue City Council has adopted the resolution of the Tricycle-for-Hire Franchising Regulatory Board (THFRB) of the specified protocol on the issuance of a Special Permit to Operate (SPO) for tricycles.
Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, the chairperson of the Committee on Traffic Management, authored the resolution to adopt the guidelines of THFRB.
As stated on the resolution, by the time the city will be under GCQ, the tricycles will be classified into five zones.
Zone 1 or Red Zone has 877 franchisees that will ply barangays Casuntingan, Cabancalan, Maguikay, Tingub, Tabok, Pagsabungan and Canduman.
Zone 2 or Blue Zone has 454 franchisees that will ply barangays Paknaan, Jagobiao, Basak and Labogon.
Zone 3 or White Zone has 872 franchisees that will ply barangays Mantuyong, Centro, Ibabao-Estancia, Opao, Umapad, Looc, Cambaro and Alang-Alang.
Zone 4 or Yellow Zone has 436 franchisees that will ply barangays Banilad, Cabancalan, Tipolo, Casuntingan and Bakilid.
Zone 5 or Orange Zone has 326 franchisees that will ply barangays Casili, Cubacub and Tawason.
The existing franchise will be suspended to give way to the possible transfer of the franchise to their zone.
In securing the SPO, the application will be by batch.
Operators above 60 years old and below 20 years old shall not be granted an SPO considering the existing Mandaue City executive orders and resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
It was clarified in the resolution that the number coding protocol will not apply to the tricycles, however, they are only allowed to ply along their authorized zone.
The “first come, first served” policy will be followed during the application.
If one’s franchise expired during the ECQ period, the operator may apply for the SPO provided that it has processed its application for renewal at the City Legal Office.
Those with pending franchise renewal may also apply for an SPO.
In applying for the SPO, the applicants shall present their valid franchise, driver’s license, quarantine pass and authorization from the franchise holder, if applicable.
Once the drivers can operate, only one passenger is allowed to ride per trip with a fare of P25 per passenger.
The drivers will require the passengers to present their quarantine pass and wear a face mask all the time.
Disinfectants must be placed in every tricycle and at the end of each day, the operators must disinfect the tricycles.
The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue will strictly monitor the compliance of the operators. Failure to comply will lead to the revocation of the SPO and the impounding of the unit.
Meanwhile, Hyll Retuya, the chief of staff of Councilor Lumapas, said should the resolution create a clamor, particularly regarding the age restrictions, they will endorse the resolution to the IATF. (KFD)