"AT LEAST 10,000 colorum tricycles are operating in Bacolod City, and we will intensify our operations against them anytime this week."
This was stressed by Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of Task Force Kontra Colorum Tricycle, on Tuesday, February 21, after Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez directed them to address the colorum tricycles operating in various areas of the city.
Espino said they are still finalizing the identification cards of the operating personnel that will be deployed in different barangays to apprehend the colorum tricycles.
"We will implement this to the full extent of the law, and there is no favoritism in this operation. All colorum tricycles operating in the barangays should be impounded. We will not be announcing when, where, and how we are going to operate," he said.
He stressed that the drivers will no longer be given a warning and their units will be impounded immediately.
On February 6, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez issued Executive Order No. 003, creating the Task Force Kontra Colorum Tricycle and providing for the composition, organization, and functions thereof.
The task force was headed by Espino as chairperson, with its members being the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Business Permits and License Office (BPLO), and representatives of the tricycle associations.
The councilor noted that under City Ordinance (CO) No. 650, Bacolod City has issued a total of 7,000 franchises to all tricycle operators and drivers associations (Todas) in the city.
Of the 7,000 franchises, only 5,000 drivers availed themselves of the franchise and business permits, Espino said.
He said as of February 17, 3,500 Todas members had paid their business permits, adding that currently, at least 15,000 tricycle units have been monitored and are operating in various barangays.
"It means, at least 10,000 colorum tricycles are operating here, and it's unfair to those who secured the franchise and business permits. We have big numbers of colorum tricycles than our registered tricycles," he added.
Espino explained that in the event of an accident, the colorum tricycle cannot claim any insurance, including from the riding public.
"We are protecting our constituency through this campaign," Espino said.
He said the City Council was also conducting a marathon hearing to determine the total number of tricycles that will be allowed to operate in the barangays.
Espino disclosed that the city government is also planning to utilize some of the tricycle drivers to pick up garbage within their respective barangays.*