GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The local government, under Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao, has launched a citywide crackdown on colorum tricycles and those operating with expired franchises starting Monday, August 18, in a bid to enforce transport regulations and protect commuter safety.
The Public Safety Office–City Transport and Traffic Management Division (PSO-CTTMD), working with the General Santos City Police Office–Traffic Enforcement Unit, deployed teams along major roads to inspect tricycles ferrying passengers. The operation seeks to ensure that units hold valid Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permits (MTOPs) or approved franchise documents, as well as display the mandated fare matrix.
New franchise applicants, meanwhile, are required to present their original application form during inspections as proof of filing. Tricycles found without proper documentation face sanctions and possible suspension of operations.
Officials clarified that the campaign is not merely punitive but aims to regulate operations. The PSO-CTTMD continues to accept franchise applications and renewals, encouraging operators to legalize their units to support both road safety and fair competition.
The city government stressed that the initiative reflects its commitment to formalizing the tricycle sector, protecting passenger welfare, and promoting livelihood opportunities through legitimate transport operations.
However, questions linger on whether the crackdown will be sustainable. Past administrations have attempted similar measures, only to see the return of colorum units once enforcement waned. The persistence of unregulated tricycles often stems from high demand, insufficient franchises, and the lack of affordable alternatives for operators who cannot immediately comply with requirements.
Transport groups and commuters alike are watching closely whether this latest campaign will bring lasting order to the city’s tricycle sector or end up as another short-term effort. Observers also ask: beyond enforcement, what alternative support can the city government provide for displaced drivers and operators?
With thousands of residents depending on tricycles as their main mode of transportation, the success of the crackdown may ultimately depend not only on strict enforcement but also on whether the local government can balance regulation with inclusive, long-term solutions.