Councilors deny opposing loans for trike drivers

By Felipe V. Celino

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — “We did not oppose the proposed loan of the tricycle drivers affected by the pandemic and free rides offered by the Modernized Public Utility Jeep.”

This was the joint statement of City Councilors Moreno Gonzaga and Midelo Ocampo regarding the proposed program of Mayor Ronnie Dadivas for tricycle drivers.

They also contradicted the statement of Policarpio Juralbar, president of the United Roxas City Commuters Tricycle Drivers Operators Association (URCC TODA).

According to Gonzaga and Ocampo, they only wanted to clarify the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Gerry Roxas Hublag Microfinance Foundation and Roxas City government on the P10,000 emergency loan for tricycle drivers before they approve the agreement.

The two councilors said they wanted to be enlightened on the loan package because it will be the city government that will shoulder the monthly interest.

They don’t want to put the city government and tricycle drivers in a disadvantageous situation.

They clarified that it was city councilor Paul Ivan Baticados, chairperson committee on rules and ordinances, who called for a meeting to discuss and scrutinize the MOA.

Ocampo said Baticados raised some questions and even Councilor Gary Potato called for a committee hearing so that they will be clarified on the proposed MOA.

The questions include the interest that will be paid by the city government and who will be qualified to avail of the loan.

Even the “point person” of the city government, Bryan Marie Argos, has no clear answers on where to get the budget for the program.

Ocampo said representatives of Hublag Microfinance failed to attend the meeting.

Gonzaga said that they merely wanted to clarify the content of the MOA so that it will not put the tricycle drivers at risk if the arrangement fails.

He said that the tricycle franchise and the official receipt (OR) and certificate of registration (CR) of tricycles will be used as collateral while the driver will pay the monthly amortization and the city government will shoulder the interest to Hublag Foundation.

Gonzaga wondered why Gerry Roxas Hublag Foundation was tapped as partner by the city government in the “loan program” as there were many private lending companies that offer low interest rates.

“If my suggestion will be allowed, it’s better not to push the drivers to apply for loan but instead give them cash assistance from the city government,” he said.

Gonzaga said that the city council is fortunate to have two lawyers-members who will study the legality of the MOA.