The local government of General Santos City is set to launch a crackdown on colorum tricycles after learning that thousands of tricycles are reportedly operating without a franchise.

As of August 5, 2025, only nearly 2,500 out of 6,000 tricycles with existing franchises have renewed their permits, according to the city’s Public Safety Office.

Meanwhile, among the 9,000 target applicants for new franchises, only 2,600 have filed their applications.

“Dapat pag mubiyahe mo naay franchise otherwise if you do not have any franchise dili ka pwede mo biyahe,” Public Safety Office Head, Atty. Jose Mariano Constantino Gonzales, said.

Some drivers claimed that most of the colorum tricycles are not even from the city and are reportedly charging passengers beyond the regular fare.

“Maglain imung buot kay ngano man kay ang imuha dili man colorum, ang mga colorum mangilog og pasahero,” tricycle driver, Pangalian Sarip, said.

In response, the local government will start apprehending colorum tricycles on August 18, 2025.

All tricycles operating without a franchise will be subject to impounding, penalties, and citation tickets.

Those who have pending applications will just have to present the copy of their application as proof in the event they are flagged down during inspection.

“Naa man gud mga nag-apply na pending pa ilang franchise. Nganung pending kay I-pa approve pa man na sa SK…kuntahay gi -flag down sila ,unsay ilang ipakita , ipakita nila ang original copy nila sa application,” Gonzales added.

All unregistered or non-renewed tricycle operators are urged to process their franchise before the start of the crackdown.