Pasig City launches tricycle franchising system to stop ‘colorum’ ops

The Pasig City government on Wednesday launched a tricycle franchising system in a bid to end "colorum" vehicles, and the corruption that goes with them, in the locality.

On Facebook, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto announced that he has signed Executive Order 70 which opens the franchising system for tricycles and seeks to legalize the operations of colorum vehicles.

"Dekada na silang bumabyahe, gawin na natin silang legal [They've been operating for more than 10 years; let's make them legal]," said Sotto.

The mayor added that the franchising system could also halt corruption, allegedly from some Tricycle Operation and Regulatory Office (TORO) members who have been selling fake franchises.

He also disclosed that he received reports that these individuals were selling the fake franchises for P150,000.

Sotto said the application and processing for the franchise will only cost P420.

"Dito, P420 lang. Legal, madali, mawawala na yung colorum [It's only P420. It's legal, easy and colorums will be removed]," the mayor said.

The franchising system will not only benefit the colorum vehicles but also their passengers, Sotto pointed out.

"Delikado din 'to sa mananakay. Kunyari sumakay ka sa tricycle na colorum tapos may nangyari. Paano mo hahabulin yung tricycle driver? Walang prangkisa, 'di mo siya mahahabol," he said.

[The colorum is also dangerous for passengers. What if something bad happens? How will you go after the tricycle driver? He has no franchise. You can't go after him.] — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News