Kalibo to strictly impose ‘one tricycle franchise, one holder policy’

KALIBO, Aklan – The “One Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (franchise), One Holder/Operator Policy” will be strictly implemented as soon as the New Traffic Code of Kalibo takes effect, the Sangguniang Bayan here (SB) said.

Artemio Arrietta Jr., administrative aide II of SB-Kalibo and one of the speakers In the recently held Tricycle Franchise Orientation/Re-Orientation Seminar, said that the New Traffic Code is expected to take effect within February or March of this year.

According to him, the policy is currently being implemented with exceptions, but it will be revised and strengthened by the New Code.

“With the new code, such exceptions will be eliminated; such that per tricycle operator should only be a holder of one franchise for one unit of tricycle,” he said.

As reported by SB-Kalibo, there are operators of tricycle-for-hire who are currently holders of two Motorized Tricycle Operator Permits (MTOPs) or franchise holders that maintain two units of tricycles.

The operators who have two MTOPs are advised to transfer their other franchise to their legal spouse or child. Otherwise, the Sangunniang Bayan will have two revoke or cancel the other one.

SB-Kalibo also admitted that it is a practice of previous franchise owners to sell their franchise for as much as P100,000. However, since such act is prohibited by the ordinance, the new owner cannot renew the MTOP to his/her name.

In a bid to correct the illegal selling of franchise and to protect the buyers, the Sangunniang Bayan are planning to impose a goodwill fee of not more than P10,000 this year. The current proposal is at P7,500, but it is yet to be finalized by the council and who will bear the burden of the paying fee.

They are also reminding tricycle operators that the granting of franchise to them is a privilege, not a right. Thus, they are merely holders of such for three years. Upon expiring, the local council could revoke, cancel or withdraw it from them.

SB-Kalibo has a total of 2,988 tricycle franchises granted to operators as of Feb. 14, 2020.(With a report from PIA/PN)