The Bacolod City government is seeking to regulate the operations of unlicensed tricycles plying passenger routes in most of its 61 villages.

Data as of yesterday showed there are more than 5,800 “colorum” (illegal) units from at least 82 tricycle drivers associations in the city.

Mayor Alfredo Benitez said that starting Monday, February 20, the Task Force Kontra Colorum will apprehend tricycles without permits or franchises as well as those that do not follow their designated routes.

“There is a need for an intensive campaign against ‘colorum’ tricycles to address the proliferation of illegal units and the increasing number of traffic accidents involving tricycles in Bacolod,” Benitez stated in Executive Order No. 3, which created the Task Force Kontra Colorum.

City Ordinance 650 enumerates the number of franchises for each barangay and tricycle association, but despite the provision, “colorum” tricycles still proliferate in the city streets, he noted.

Before starting the operations, members of the task force headed by Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the committee on transportation and traffic, will undergo a workshop and orientation on Saturday, February 18.

The participants will include representatives from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, Bacolod City Police Office-Traffic Management Unit, City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod Permits and Licences Office, and various tricycle associations. (PNA)