Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela on Tuesday told tricycle drivers and operators in Puerto Princesa that the city government is aware of passengers’ complaints on overcharging and the problem of colorum units.
Maristela said this during a public consultation of the City Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (CTFRB) with tricycle drivers and operators at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex to discuss their concerns.
“Hindi kami bulag sa City Hall… ang inyong vice mayor ay hindi bulag, para hindi marinig ang reklamo palagi ng mga mananakay na overcharging,” he said.
Hindi natin malulutas ito kung hindi natin aaminin sa ating mga sarili. Ang sabi ko nga, kung gusto nating lalong umunlad ang ating industriya ng tricycle, iiwasan na natin yung overcharging,” he told attendees.
He warned that commuters might turn away from using tricycles if the practice continues and look for other modes of transportation.
Maristela said there were about 800 available slots under the special franchise for routes in the north of Poblacion up to Abanico, including the corner of Socrates Road and Malvar Street.
But he later clarified that those slots may already be filled. He mentioned that when he assumed office in July, he was told by CTFRB that the special franchise had no limit and that 800 slots were still open.
Now, however, he said it seems the slots are already occupied, which is why the CTFRB might consider adding more.
“Hindi bale, kung special franchise naman yan, maluwang naman ito, north at saka south, pwede naman siguro nating i-request na dagdagan. Kaya yan ang siguro gagawin natin kung mapag-usapan namin sa CTFRP kung talagang puno na yung special franchise sapagkat nung nag-assume ako noong July, ang sabi ni Rodel, walang limit ang special franchise… Ngayon pala puno na,” he said.
Tricycle groups have also filed a petition before the City Council seeking to allow them to ply Rizal Avenue.
Tricycle driver and operator federations, he disclosed, submitted a petition to the City Council asking that tricycles be allowed to pass through Rizal Avenue.
The matter is now under discussion, with two committee consultations already held.
“Yan ay pinag-uusapan na ngayon sa City Council. Nagkaroon na ng dalawang consultation, committee meeting patungkol dyan,” he said.
Maristela stressed the need for tighter enforcement to address the issue of colorum tricycles.
He warned again that if the city provides slots now but fails to impose strict controls, the number of illegal units could quickly grow to several thousand within a few years.
The city vice mayor also raised possible reforms to discourage illegal operations.
“Kahit na yung franchise, taasan ulit gawing ₱50,000 para wala nang kumuha at magpagawa ng franchise. Yung magpapagawa ng sidecar, bawal na rin. Ano lang po, ayun lang gusto ko sana, sana tuldukan na natin,” he said.
