But commuters are not feeling the impact of the reduction in the number of tricycles-for-hire even if the families of the more than 1,000 drivers may already be feeling the effects of their loss of income.
Edwin Jumao-as, head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) said Thursday, May 11, 2023, that they revoked the operating licenses of about 1,493 TFH drivers last April.
Jumao-as explained that these licenses had expired since 2020 but drivers were then given leeway because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said they gave their last extension in December 2022, giving the drivers until March 15 approved by the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to renew, but only 77 processed their renewal.
In April, the Mandaue City Council released an ordinance decreasing the renewal payment to P2,000 from P5,000 to P7,000.
Jumao-as said having another extension is not possible, stressing they have given them more than enough time to process their permits aside from approving the decrease in the renewal payment.
Another chance
Despite Team’s announcement, some affected drivers are still hopeful the City Government would still give them a chance to operate.
Vic (not his real name), 50, from Barangay Alang-alang explained that he failed to renew his license due to financial problems.
“Ako na lang giprenda sa akong kaila akong unit kay kinahanglan ko mopalit og tambal,” added Vic. (I just pawned my unit to a friend because I needed to buy medicine.)
Dodoy Soco, 45, from Barangay Centro was in a similar situation, stressing that until now his livelihood had not yet recovered since the pandemic, the reason he failed to process his license renewal.
Jumao-as said they are now looking for new TFH franchisees since the Mandaue City Council approved the new guidelines.
No effect yet
Meanwhile, several commutters said they had not felt the decrease in number of tricycles-for-hire yet.
Luna Soco, 24, from Barangay Alang-alang said she can still get a TFH easily going home.
Aileen Reyes, 18, from Barangay Ibabao and Michael Cañete, from Barangay Alang-alang also said there are still plenty of TFH in their areas with still the same fare ranging from P15 to P25.
Eddu Ibañez, head of the City Legal Office, said they would create an action plan regarding those drivers that had revoked licenses.
Mandaue City had about 2,500 tricycles-for-hire as of March.
They ply in five routes – Route Zone 1 (Red) or in Barangays Pagsabungan, Canduman, Casuntingan, Cabancalan, Maguikay, Tabok Tingub; Route Zone 2 (Blue) or in Barangays Paknaan and Labogon; Route Zone 3 (Yellow) or in Barangays Banilad, Bakilid and Tipolo; Route Zone 4 (Gray) or in Barangays Alang-Alang, Ibabao, Umapad, Opao, Looc, Cambaro and Centro; and Route Zone 5 (Orange) or in Barangays Casili, Cubacub and Tawasan.