After receiving some concerns raised by tricycle operators and drivers, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday proposed amendments to Ordinance No. Sangguniang Panglungsod 2337 of 2014 or The Quezon City Tricycle Management Code.
The proposed revisions were agreed upon during a recent dialogue with legitimate tricycle operators and drivers’ associations or TODAs complaining about alleged illegal practices of the city’s Tricycle Regulatory Unit.
“We believe these amendments are necessary and should be discussed by the city council for the benefit of thousands of tricycle drivers and operators in Quezon City,” the vice mayor said. Rio N. Araja
In 2014, Belmonte, as presiding officer of the city council, led the approval of Ordinance No. SP-2337-2014 or “The Quezon City Tricycle Management Code of 2014” that comprehensively addresses the aspects of tricycle operations, regulations and social protection for the local tricycle sector.
Among the proposed revisions is the lowering of fine in redeeming the impounded motorcycles from P3,000 to only P1,500.
The owner of the impounded motorcycle shall also pay an impounding fee of P200 and P50 per day storage fee.
In agreement with the TODAs, the vice mayor Belmonte also proposed the mandatory confiscation of colorum tricycle sidecars to discourage the proliferation of colorum tricycles.
The confiscated sidecars shall be disposed by the city government through public auction.
As to allegations of “tara” or corruption on insurance paid by franchisees, Belmonte said an ordinance on insurance policy will be filed, and that TRU personnel would be reshuffled regularly from their place of assignments to prevent illegal practices.
There are over 24,600 tricycle units licensed to operate by the city government, all belonging to 150 tricycle operators and drivers’ associations or TODAs.
The number does not include an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 unregistered tricycles.