By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City government earns an average P700,000 per month for the implementation of the ordinance against colorum tricycles-for-hire plying in the city.

Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) head, Police Major Junji Liba, said since they started implementing City Ordinance (CO) 185, which regulates the operation of tricycles and grants franchise to operators, the city has gained more revenue than in previous years.

He said more than 3,000 tricycle units were apprehended for violating CO 185 and other traffic laws from January of this year.

Liba said there were around 16,000 colorum tricycles plying in the city.

“Because of the ongoing operation specifically with the number of apprehended tricycles, the colorum tricycles have been reduced,” he said.

The BTAO head pointed out that the operation does not only minimize colorum tricycles plying around the city, but it also helps provide income for the city government.

Liba said tricycle drivers would be apprehended for not having a motorized tricycle operator’s permit (MTOP).

The ordinance also included administrative penalties to be imposed against the violators:

– for operating without MTOP, or colorum: P1,500;

– out of route: P1,000;

– driving without license or expired driver’s license: P300; and

– operating without the proper plate number and body number: P200

Task Force Colorum was assigned by the city government to conduct the operation./MS, WDJ