DAGUPAN City’s Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) is set to launch a 24/7 Help Desk starting October 2 to address complaints of passengers against erring tricycle drivers plying the city streets.

The Help Desk was recommended by the Federation of Accredited Tricycle Operators Association in Dagupan City (FATODAG) and the City Federation of Tricycle Drivers and Operators (CITYFED) during their meeting with Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and POSO Chief Carlito Ocampo on Sep. 5.

Fernandez, who had just arrived from her US trip, warmly welcomed the positive feedback and reactions from the two groups following the launching of of POSO’s Oplan Colorum.

“We are thankful that our meeting with our tricycle drivers and operators earned positive results, with several agreements all of which are for the safety and welfare of our tricycle commuters especially our children. After all, our concern in implementing the Oplan Colorum is to protect the welfare of our children,” said Fernandez.

Among the agreements reached were: POSO will keep a cellphone directory list of  all tricycle operators in the city; member tricycle drivers will secure medical certificates; the city government will conduct a medical mission for the members and their members annually, and members can avail of free x-ray, ECG and ultrasound at the diagnostic and lying-in center.

Also, starting October 2, all member-tricycle drivers will comply with the dress code for easier identification:  Blue uniform on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Green uniform on Tuesday-Thursday; Casual on Saturday-Sunday. No driver will be allowed to wear slippers.

“Soon our legitimate tricycle drivers will be our very own tourist guides and they will transport our local and foreign tourists to our tourist spots like the Tondaligan Beach, which we are now developing as one of the best tourist destinations in the North,” added Fernandez.

On the plight of colorum tricycles, the groups said they may consider to allow them to transport passengers, but only within their respective barangays after POSO completes its survey.

The two tricycle groups thanked Mayor Fernandez for instituting reforms and programs to advance their rights and welfare against colorum units even while she was still a vice mayor.

Presently, only 2,500 tricycle franchises are issued in accordance with city ordinance. (With report from CIO/JCB)

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