TAB: File trike complaints in City Hall, not social media

 By Dominic Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 19 (PIA) – Residents who have unfavorable experiences with tricycle drivers including those who experienced over-charging of fares are encouraged to file formal complaints in City Hall instead of simply posting them on social media.

“We must respect the due process of the law, and not just post our complaints on social media. Residents must file formal complaints so our office can act on them accordingly,” said Arturo Cabidog, Jr., member of City Hall’s Tricycle Adjudication Board (TAB).

When filing, the complainants must note down the tricycle’s plate number and state the nature of the complaint. The TAB will summon the driver concerned for a meeting with the complainant. The proceedings of the meeting will help TAB decide on the appropriate sanction for the driver and the franchise owner, which may include fines to revocation of the franchise as prescribed by local ordinances.

As per City Ordinance 458 series of 2017, grounds for sanctions include refusal to convey passenger or freight to the destination and overcharging.

Meanwhile, Cabidog said only eleven tricycle-related complaints were filed with TAB in 2021.

Jayson Atilano (not his real name), a regular tricycle passenger shared his experience after filing his first complaint with TAB.

“I was at first hesitant to file a complaint because I was very busy. But the driver threatened me because I would not pay the overcharged fare he was demanding, and I thought this is serious. He even said ‘I know where you live’. So I decided to go to City Hall. The next day, I was called to meet the driver where he apologized. But still he was fined as he was found guilty of overcharging,” Atilano said.

“If you just post your rant in social media, sure people will sympathize with you, but I doubt a more appropriate action will be taken. Maybe it will just create more animosity and even the honest drivers are affected. Let’s do our part in helping the government address this age-old problem of overcharging tricycles.”

City Ordinance 416 series of 2013 maintains that the fare is Php20.00 for one or two passengers for the first kilometer, plus Php5.00 for the third passenger and an additional Php5.00 for every succeeding kilometers regardless of the number of passengers. (RVC/EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)