At least 533 “bao-bao” or tricabs were apprehended in Cagayan de Oro from 2023 until the first quarter of 2024 for plying the national highway, which is not allowed.

Up to 446 tricab drivers were caught in 2023 while 87 were caught in the first quarter of 2024.

Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) chief, Engr. Nonito Oclarit, is pushing for stiffer penalties for tricab drivers caught plying the national highway.

Under his proposal, first time offenders will be fined P1,500 with the unit impounded for 15 days while second time violators will be fined P3,000 with the unit impounded for one month. Third time violators will be fined P5,000 and may no longer get their vehicles back.

Tricabs are prohibited from plying the national highway based on the memorandum issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The local government also does not issue franchises to “bao-bao” operators.