Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Bontoc Municipal Tricycle Franchising Regulatory Board (BMTFRB) is reminding tricycle operators to renew their franchises as early as possible to prevent inconvenience since the renewal of the Motorized Tricycle Operators Permit (MTOP) will only be until December 31, 2021.
Per Municipal Ordinance No. 300, s. 2018, the BMTFRB is given the authority to issue franchise to tricycle for it to operate as a public transport.
It was stipulated in the ordinance that the renewal of the MTOP for the next succeeding year, shall be done at any time prior to the date of its expiration. A grace period of up to the last day of January following the expiration of the franchise shall be extended for late renewal. However, the tricycle operator has to pay the penalty or fine of P2,000. After the expiration of the grace period, all MTOPs which had not been renewed shall be subject to cancellation and shall be made available to qualified applicants.
According to Marilyn Aquino, the Secretariat of the BMTFRB, there are 681 tricycle units issued with franchise plying in the municipality.
Aquino reminded the tricycle operators to bring with them the necessary documents for the renewal of their MTOP. These include Barangay Clearance; Land Transportation Office (LTO) Official Receipt (OR) or Certificate of Registration (CR); latest original copy of MTOP; and a photo of the tricycle unit parked at its respective parking space. Aquino added that the photo of the tricycle must be taken with front, back, left, and right views and to be printed in a legal size bond paper.
She added that the application for registration/ renewal must be filed by the operator or any individual of legal age who shall be given a Special Power of Attorney to transact by the operator.
For further inquiries on the renewal of MTOP, tricycle operators are advised to visit the Office of the Municipal Mayor through the BMTFRB.
Meanwhile, she reminded the tricycle operators and drivers that the Fare Matrix shall be hanged conspicuously inside the tricycle. It is specified in the Fare Matrix the minimum fare within the delineated points. The regular fare is P9.00 while the fare for the senior citizens, students, and Person with Disability (PWD) is P7.00.
Also, the BMTFRB welcomes any complaints, suggestions or queries of the public concerning tricycle drivers and operators.
“Everyone is welcome to visit the Office of the Municipal Mayor to report her/his complaints regarding tricycle driver and operator so that we can immediately call the concerned individuals. In this way, both parties are present, complaints will be addressed, and such incident will be avoided,” Aquino said.
Common complaints by the public are the refusal of some tricycle drivers to convey/ transport their passengers, and collection of more than the minimum fare to include not giving of the 20% discount to students, senior citizens and Person with Disability (PWD).
She explained that before a tricycle operator is given a franchise, their office made him/ her understand the Municipal Transport and Traffic Code of Bontoc which the traffic rules and regulations, and duties and responsibilities of the drivers and operators are stipulated.**Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc LGU
