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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Trike drivers raise fear of modernization plan during dialogue with Aquino

Trike drivers raise fear of modernization plan during dialogue with Aquino

Published Mar 18, 2025 03:57 am

Tricycle drivers opened up about their fears of losing their livelihoods amid reported plans to modernize the tricycle sector as senatorial candidate Bam Aquino promised to fight for their rights if he gets another term in the Senate.

Bam Aquino_trike.jpeg
Independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino speaks to tricycle drivers during a consultation in Quezon City. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)

Aquino, who is running for a Senate comeback in the upcoming midterm polls, held a dialogue on Tuesday, March 18, with tricycle drivers in Quezon City, where an e-trike modernization plan looms.

They told the former senator about their concerns of losing their sources of income if the local government pushes through with its plan to modernize the sector.

“Kung pipilitin kayong mag-e-trike, dapat may programa na kung saan kaya niyong makakuha ng unit na abot-kaya, na hindi maaantala ang kita natin (If they are going to force you on the e-trike [program], there should be a program where you can purchase affordable units, that your income will not get affected),” Aquino said.

“Hindi tayo papayag na mawawala ang hanapbuhay niyo na basta-basta. Ipaglalaban natin ang karapatan niyong maghanap-buhay at kumita (We are not going to let you lose your livelihoods just like that. We are going to fight for your right to earn a living),” she added.

Aside from e-trike modernization, the tricycle drivers told the former senator that the presence of Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) and motorcycle taxis are also their competitors in the market.

The former senator underscored the importance of protecting tricycle drivers, citing their contribution to society and the community where they belong.

“Kung mawawala ang mga TODA, mapipilay ang ekonomiya natin. Kailangan natin silang tulungan at kailangang may boses sila sa Senado (If we lose the TODA [Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association], our economy will get crippled. We need to help them and they need to have a voice in the Senate),” he said.

Aquino promised the tricycle drivers that if given the chance to serve in the Senate, he will push for a humane modernization program where their livelihoods will be protected.

The former senator is running on the advocacies of free education and guaranteed employment. In his previous term, Aquino pushed for legislations that will help small business owners.

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