4K tricycle drivers accredited in Kalibo

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The local government of Kalibo is 'tracking' all tricycle drivers by requiring them to use the issued accreditation cards. At present, Kalibo town is not only the “tricycle capital” of Aklan but also has the most number of accredited tricycle drivers.

As of June this year, there were 2,988 registered tricycle units with franchise that were operating and some 4,000 tricycle drivers with accreditation IDs, according to Administrative Officer II Artemio Arrieta, Jr. of the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Arrieta designed the Motorized Tricycle Operators Permits (MTOP)/Tricycle Franchise Database and the Legislative Information Database that helped improve the efficiency of the legislative council office.

The accreditation and issuance of identification cards (IDs) for tricycle drivers are required by Municipal Ordinance No. 2013-11 which also strengthens the grant of MTOP and certificate of public conveyance.

Only drivers with Professional Drivers License with a Restriction Code 1 issued by Land Transportation Office (LTO) are allowed to drive motorized tricycles for hire or private tricycles and required to apply for accreditation with the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Arrieta said tricycle drivers without the laminated accreditation IDs issued by LGU Kalibo will be penalized this July. 

"The IDS should be placed inside the tricycle in clear view of the passengers to make it easier for them to identify and to report any abuses of tricycle drivers," he said.

The local law carries a fine of P500 for tricycle driver without authorized tricycle driver’s ID and P1,000 the tricycle operator or the registered owner of motorized tricycle for allowing drivers to drive without the necessary accreditation or with an expired accreditation.

Kalibo is a first-class municipality and the capital town of the province of Aklan. The mode of transportation in Kalibo is tricycle or a motorcycle fitted or attached with a single-wheeled side-car or any three-wheeled motorized vehicle used to convey or transport passengers.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.