Legitimate tricycle and pedicab drivers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are urging the local government to increase penalties against unregistered or "colorum" public utility vehicles, saying illegal operators continue to cut into their daily income despite regular enforcement.

Leonardo Arabe, president of the Guiguilonen-Embarcadero Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), said many registered drivers struggle to earn enough because of the growing number of illegal tricycles operating in the town.

“Oo, siyempre pabor kami diyan. Mas marami pa nga sila kapag hindi tataasan. Maraming umaangal na hindi nakakapamasada,” Arabe said.

Some registered tricycle drivers said they earn only around P300 to P500 a day, which they described as barely enough to support their families.

The Mangaldan Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) said the current 100-peso fine for traffic violations is too low to discourage offenders.

“Pinagtatawanan lang kami regarding that dahil nga napakababa. Could you imagine, sa illegal parking lang, 100 pesos? Siguro napapanahon ang pagtaas ng violation fee natin,” Gerry Ydia, chief of the Mangaldan Public Order and Safety Office, said.

Pedicab drivers also backed the proposal, saying illegal operators continue to affect their livelihood.

“Matigas ang ulo nila, hindi sila nagpaparehistro. Maraming colorum, naaapektuhan kami,” Benjamin Aguilar, a pedicab driver, said.

According to the local government, Mangaldan has more than 1,600 franchised tricycle drivers and over 700 registered pedicab drivers. However, authorities believe the number of illegal vehicles operating in the town is even higher.

Aside from operating without registration, authorities said some illegal tricycle drivers also overcharge passengers, particularly students.

Ydia said the proposed increase in penalties is still subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Bayan.

“Kung aaprubahan ng Sangguniang Bayan 'yung 300 [pesos] ay siguro puwede, pero that will base on the advice or desisyon ng SB,” he said.

Meanwhile, POSO said it continues to conduct checkpoints across different barangays in Mangaldan to apprehend unregistered public utility vehicles.