The Manila City Council announced on Monday, Sept. 11, that it will start the implementation of City Resolution No. 408 or the enhancement of record management of tri-wheel transportation in the city.
The approved resolution was authored by Councilor Numero “Uno” G. Lim in a regular session presided over by Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul" Servo Nieto last Sept. 7.
It orders the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), particularly the tri-wheel management unit, to compile a complete list of the official members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Associations (TODA) and Pedicab Operators and Drivers’ Associations (PODA) in Manila.
This resolution seeks to lessen the presence of “colorum” or unregistered drivers and operators and to ensure proper regulation and management in road transportation services and the collection of registration fees.
The city government called for collaboration among the officers of MTPB, TODA, and PODA in creating a comprehensive list of their members' information, including but not limited to the names, license numbers, and other relevant details.
The data gathered will be then utilized as the basis to devise a more efficient strategy in enhancing the collection of registration fees from TODA and PODA members.
In his sponsorship speech, Lim stressed the importance of having an official list of all the drivers and operators' information.
“Ito pong resolusyong ito ay ipinasa base sa pag-attend natin sa Committee ng Transportation, sa kadahilanang nakita namin ang lapses sa list of member ng mga TODA. At the same time, nakita po natin na ang discrepancies tulad ng Route Measured Capacity (RMC) kunwari eh 100, pero ang binayaran lang po nila eh nasa 40 o 50 lamang. Saan po napupunta ung mga kulang o nawawala? (This resolution was passed because we saw the lapses in the list of members of the TODAs. At the same time, we have seen discrepancies, for example, the RMC is supposed to be 100, but they only paid 40 or 50. Where did the missing amount go?)"
He said every tricycle driver should pay a P568 registration fee as a TODA member.
However, the council does not know how much should be the total amount obtained from registered TODA members because there is no proper list and basis for those who have paid and those who have not.
"The said resolution also gave importance to the associations’ members in being an essential component of the city’s growing economy. They are encouraged to register to have a legal identity within the jurisdiction of the city," the city government said.
The resolution was supported by all of the councilors and was approved immediately.
The city government directed the MTPB to submit the progress of the newly implemented resolution within a period of 60 days upon its approval.