‘END OF COLORUM’: Crackdown on Illegal Trikes Set After June 18

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Unregistered or “colorum” tricycles in Iloilo City have until June 18 to join a Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) and secure a franchise, the Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO) warned.

TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos said a press conference will be held on June 17 to reiterate the compliance deadline for colorum tricycles.

“This is the first advisory for colorum tricycles that they have only until June 18,” he said.

“This June 18 is to allow them to join the TODA and get their franchise.”

He said that after the deadline, the TTMO will launch a crackdown on unregistered units.

“Within the week, we will have orientation for our personnel who will implement our tricycle route plan ordinance to ensure smooth operations and adherence to procedures,” he added.

Garbanzos said the TTMO is open to suggestions from colorum drivers for new routes, particularly in subdivision areas.

Impounded tricycles will be held at the TTMO office near the city port, with YMCA Iloilo as an additional impounding site.

The city is also considering the Sanitary Landfill in Calajunan, Mandurriao as another impound location.

According to TTMO data, Iloilo City has 33 active TODAs, many of which have reported competition from colorum tricycles.

“These colorums compete with the tricycles operating legally,” Garbanzos said.

“I think we have given enough time for them to process their franchises.”

He acknowledged that some colorum tricycles fill gaps in the local public transport route plan (LPTRP).

“There are gaps in our LPTRP,” he said.

“There are gaps in the services provided by our transport cooperatives, which should be operating 24/7.”

He noted that tricycles often serve as the last-mile connection in many routes.

Garbanzos urged transport cooperatives to improve their round-the-clock services.

“This is a challenge for us because at night, we know there are many tricycle and motorbike taxi drivers operating,” he said.

He also revealed that a proposed ordinance to regulate trisikads (pedicabs) is being revived, with plans to integrate them with e-trikes and e-bikes.