THE Cagayan de Oro City Council's Committee on Public Utilities is considering allowing operators of colorum tri-cabs to travel and pick up passengers without fear of being caught by traffic enforcers.
Colorum vehicles are public utility vehicles that operate without franchises.
City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairperson of the committee, said he will consider and study the request of tricab operators and include them in the local transport routing plan that the committee is set to create.
Tricabs, known in India as tuk-tuks or auto rickshaws, are fast becoming a competitor of the motorelas and jeepneys in terms of cheap public transportation.
But Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao director Aminoden Guro said tricabs have been operating without permits.
Guro said tricabs operators can apply for a franchise from the LTFRB but first they have to secure an authorization to operate from the local government unit or even the villages.
"The LGU or the barangay that should give them authorization to operate under the Joint Memorandum Circular #001 series of 2017 by the Department of Transportation and Department of Interior Local Government, given that the documents of Tricab are met and the driver has license," Guro said.
He said although the local government has the power to allow them operate, he pointed out that the tricabs cannot travel along national highways.
Guro said the city could make a special lane where the tri-cabs could pass.
"Pwede nga tagaan sila'g franchise pero dili sugtan nga muadtog national highway, pwede pud barangay to barangay pero magbutang tag space sa mga kalsada ug motorcycle lane ug tricab lane, depende sa mahisgutan pud sa plano sa atong City Council," he said.
Loloy, a tricab driver in Agusan Village, said some people prefer tri-cabs instead of other transportation, because it is fast and cheap.
"Sa tricab man gud paspas, maong kanang mga estudyante ug trabahante nga gadali dili malate unya mabuhi pa gyud mi nga mga driver, mabuhi ang mga operator, ug mabuhi sab among mga pamilya," Loloy said.
Agusan Village chairperson Andrew Melliza said there is also a need for regulation and discipline among drivers of tricabs.
Tablon Village chair Romeo Bacarro said the tricabs are of great help especially for students.
"Dako ni silag tabang labi na sa mga estudyante nga permente gadali labi nang puno-puno permente ang mga jeep sa among highway, labi nag gabii ug kaadlawon," Bacarro said. (With a report from Elena Gomez, MSU-Marawi intern)
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2. TAGS: Pinoy Aquaman, Ingemar Macarine, 21 Mile English Channel, record-setting, Channel Swimming Association, swimming
u2018Pinoy Aquaman’ to attempt record-setting swim today
Pamela Jay F. Orias
rFILIPINO aquaman Ingemar Macarine will attempt to swim across the 33-kilometer English Channel Sunday, August 13, a channel crossing from the United Kingdom to France.
The environmental lawyer said he will attempt the swim Sunday at 2 a.m., depending on the weather.
The 21 Mile English Channel is considered as the “Mount Everest” for open water swimmers from all around the world.
While Mount Everest has already been summited by seven Filipinos, the iconic English Channel is yet to be crossed by a Filipino.
Macarine is the first Filipino to attempt this feat.
In a statement, Macarine said he will abide by rules of the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) by wearing only regular swimming trucks, a pair of swimming goggles, and a swimming cap.
"Wetsuits and other floating devices are absolutely not allowed. The rules also dictate that I should not touch the boat nor can be touched by another person during the entire course of the swim," the Surigao-born swimmer said.
Macarine said he will swim non-stop for approximately 3 to 15 hours, except during hydration and feeding stops for 15 seconds or every 30 minutes, with water temperature of 17 degree Celsius.
"I have trained and prepared for this ultimate swim for two years. I have done more than thirty charity swims in the Philippines and in the USA, Fifteen of which were certified as pioneering or unprecedented marathon swims (10KM or more) by the World Open Water Swimming Association of Huntington, California," he said.
"I arrived here in Dover, United Kingdom two weeks ago for the cold water acclimatization training. Hypothermia would be my number one challenge as I am used to the tropical waters of the Philippines," he added.
Macarine said he dedicates this swim to all Filipinos and aims "to promote cleaner seas and tourism in the country".
"Hoping and praying for good weather and a successful crossing on August 13. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" he said.
The swim is principally sponsored Philippine Sports Commission thru Chairman William Ramirez & Commissioner Ramon Fernandez and Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, Speedo Philippines thru VP Manish Mahtani Maldita Man thru Irene Chan, First Consolidated Bank thru President Argeo Melisimo Martello Building Consultancy thru Andy Cruttenden, Kennington Masonic Lodge 1381 thru Worshipful Master Michael Duque, Congressman Erico Aristotle Aumentado, and Sparklab.
Macarine is the election officer III of Tubigon, Bohol.