LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – The Lagawe Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. (LAFETODAI) held recently its general assembly and election of officers program at the Lagawe Central School gymnasium. The program was also attended by key leaders in the private sector.
The LAFETODAI is the largest nongovernment organization (NGO) of tricycle drivers and operators in Ifugao.
What is now a major NGO in the transport sector in the province began as a small group (then known in 1997 as Lagawe Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association or LATODA) for those engaged in moving people and goods through this popular vehicle, said Ding Baguilat, newly-elected president of the 800-strong LAFETODAI who is also active in other concerns in Lagawe.
Baguilat generally catches the special attention of many for being a charismatic and transformative leader, particularly his caring and compassionate ways for the marginalized.
Residents- rich or poor alike, of this capitol town and many others in the province’s ten other towns, regularly take the tricycle as a means of travelling to other places within their community for work or school.
The number was not as big as in the final tally of the election results. Only about less than 300 took part in the polls to express their choices for a new set of officers of the LAFETODAI.
“It is a challenge to response to the needs of our members, and thus the need to work harder at all times in order to reach more members,” Baguilat said.
Deep down Mr. Baguilat knows what his members want. It’s a good thing he figured out early in the day how the LAFETODAI operates because he could waste a lot of time with unnecessary actions and distractions given the rather the short term of two years to serve. It’s fortunate that Mr. Baguilat has the confidence to be specific and direct in dealing with the association’s structural deficiencies and problems. Relatedly, there is a clamor for extending a year the term of the LAFETODAI officer. Baguilat is supportive of the proposal.
As a result, Baguilat is set to conduct a performance review of the LAFETODAI operation system following the announcement that an action plan has been drafted by the new administration.
Baguilat and the other incoming officers of the LAFETODAI dedicate their efforts to promote the well-being of their members. “We are always around to be of help to all our members,” Baguilat, a longtime member the LAFETODAI, said citing the important role of tricycle drivers and operators play in Philippine society.
For Engineer Julio Tindungan, one of the guests of the whole day program, the growth of LAFETODAI validated the actions taken by past officers. Now, the LAFETODAI’s need is someone to push members to focus on what needs to be done. Truly, LAFETODAI members made the right decision.
Tindungan said, “the LAFETODAI has gone a very long way. There is a strong cooperation between the officers and members. All of these were justifications of how good governance is important for any organization such as this one to grow.”
Engineer Andres Dango, an independent candidate for board member in the first district, and Grace Guihoman, an aspirant for councilor in Lagawe under the PDP-Laban, also attended the program. Along with Tindungan, who is another PDP-Laban candidate for board member in the first district, Dango and Guihoman vowed to dedicate their work to advance the cause of tricycle drivers if elected in the forthcoming May polls.
As it is, Baguilat has surely recognized the need to introduce changes, pursue reforms and move forward a modernization plan for LAFETODAI’s operations to make it effective and efficient. Nothing less than a comprehensive action will do.
Among Baguilat’s priorities are setting up an office, improvement of infrastructure projects, accreditation at the municipal and provincial government level and approval of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) covering a wide range of concerns of its officers and members, issuance of an identification (ID) card for members and beautification project in its main loading terminal right in front of the Department of Education Schools Division Office building.
Even before being inducted into office, Baguilat began his incumbency by securing an office not too far from the said terminal site. He is now looking forward to setting up a cooperative for the town’s hardworking drivers. Currently, the LAFETODAI is experiencing rapid growth. It has a sound and strong financial portfolio. A cooperative shall also aim to spur economic development among its members. Most of them are poor. It opens greater economic opportunities particularly in employment. His prominence as a promising, well-meaning young leader in this part of Ifugao, if the plan of putting up a parallel cooperative among LAFETODAI members is realized, would be recognized in the coming years as a symbol of his legacy to the association. Looking forward, Baguilat and the other officers have considerably been blessed with the expressed or avowed support of some kind-hearted individuals with regard to this plan. In other words, the agenda to prioritize the plan of establishing a cooperative is not just timely and relevant, but also do-able and within reach. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly clear that the plan for a LAFETODAI-related cooperative shall be considered as a top priority of the new administration.
“Funds sourced out from membership fees and the others would be used for project development activities and other noteworthy purposes,” he told the ZigZag Weekly.
“I will endeavor to carry out the agenda of ensuring that the programs, projects and activities would be directed for the benefit of our members,” he stressed in an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly.
Unknown to many, if the local government unit (LGU) mandated accreditation status was already secured or done, this privilege will come handy to enhance the objective of getting official and additional support and assistance from the government and the private sector. The accreditation will ensure that the NGO’s programs, projects and activities would also be aided by foreign agencies and institutions in terms of grants and the likes.
Relatedly, there is a plan to register the LAFETODAI at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Immediate action on the LAFETODAI’s IRR is just as important, paving the way for the association to fully implement its programs. Extensive discussions on various provisions of the LAFETODAI’s constitution and by-laws are expected.
Likewise, amendments to some provisions are eyed thus, officers have to get the opinion of someone in the legal circle so they can explain this matter to their members.
With preparations for the initial meeting of officers underway, Baguilat urged his colleagues to study the IRR of the LAFETODAI. He underscored the need for an officer to be prepared and well-versed with the IRR and issues facing the association.
Baguilat is optimistic that the LAFETODAI would continue to expand and ensure the delivery of services to the people.
There is an apparent demand for the acquisition of new tricycles to replace old ones. The demand to increase the tricycle units in the main poblacion area is quite sizable as supported by a growing population number.
Seminars on improving driving skills are called for to ensure that tricycle drivers will have a continuous source of income. Many see the need to focus on traffic safety, improvement of passenger mobility and reduction of the volume of violations.
Stakeholders in the private sector have in years raised concerns about the predicament of commuters. In particular, a program speaker has described the “unfair treatment” of senior citizens on the matter of depriving them of their 20% discount on tricycle fares. Also, some have observed that tricycles are poorly maintained and need cleaning on a daily basis.
It is the best interest to rally around the leadership of Mr. Baguilat and the other incoming officers. They include Marcial Galum, vice president; Amelito Gayam, treasurer; John Ballogan, auditor; Reynaldo Lintaw and Israel Bahiwag, business managers; and Henry Dangayo Jr., Romeo Mateo Jr., Arnel Gayo and Rainier Dinamling, sergeants-at arms. Secretary is Loydan Babayungan.
Founded in 2009, the LAFETODAI offers a number of benefits to its members. The incoming officers intend to continue this practice. They’ve made a difference particularly on their hospitalization expenses. Without a doubt, Baguilat and the other officers are in a position to enable sick and hospitalized members to regain their physical capacities and bearings and put their lives back together. Membership fee is 10,000 pesos. Presently, Baguilat and the other officers are banking on the support of a good number of so-called “functional” or active members. Officers hold regular quarterly meetings. The LAFETODAI conducts two general assembly programs a year.
Over the years, the LAFETODAI has been lauded for implementing a color coding scheme program.
From holding elections and meetings, the LAFETODAI conducts activities that would further transform its members as well-rounded, productive and law-abiding members of society.
The LAFETODAI will be one of the most active NGOs this year in 2019. Baguilat explained this is advantageous to the province and the lives of all tricycle drivers, generating income and contributing to the government’s goal of inclusive growth. This aspiration is shared by its past presidents Tejano Balinon, Richard Mangabat and Hadjie Malingan.
Many are happy to note that the LAFETODAI, under the able and strong leadership of Ding Baguilat, is starting on the right step. Moving fast forward, all hopes remain high and bright as members and officers are already looking into the post-induction program period. The induction activity has been scheduled soon at the same venue.
Addressing head on the worries and headaches of tricycle drivers is tantamount to dutifully and faithfully serving them. Governance goes beyond delivering welcome remarks during a general assembly program or taking a “selfie” with the governor or congressman and should include honest-to-goodness action on ensuring that no family in the LAFETODAI will ever be hungry. **By Anthony A. Araos
