Speaking during the “Tricycle Operators and Drivers Day last Sunday at the Plaza Luz covered court here, Cerilles said “tricycle drivers are not only helping spur our economy but they are responsible for keeping the city peaceful and orderly.”
Tricycle is the main mode of transportation in the city since its creation on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act 5478.
Cerilles said “tricycle drivers are the first persons to know and encounter people who are coming to our city,” as most of these visiting people take tricycles to ferry them to their respective destination within the city.
Cerilles attributed the sad fate that happened in Zamboanga City on September 8, 2013, which claimed more than a hundred lives and destroyed worth millions of properties, to the failure of civilians to inform the government of the presence of 1,000 armed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in the area.
Cerilles said he does not want the crisis experienced by the people of Zamboanga City to happen here.
The governor appealed to the tricycle drivers to cooperate with the government by informing the police of the presence of armed men and suspicious-looking persons.
“I am appealing to you to cooperate with the government by informing immediately the police authorities of the presence of armed men in our city. Let us make Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur a peaceful place to live in,” Cerilles urged.
Cerilles, an anti-drug advocate, said politicians who are involved in illegal drug trade are not allowed to operate in the province, adding that drug lords are the ones supporting the rebels.
“We are driving away drug lords in our province. We don’t want our place to be disturbed with their presence here,” Cerilles concluded.
Meanwhile, city councilor Arnold Gavenia, chairman of the committee on motorized transport, franchising and regulatory board of Sangguniang Panlungsod said he was very happy that the city government had given all tricycle operators and drivers an opportunity to celebrate their day through City Ordinance 2K-267.
The Pagadian City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) celebrated its 7th year of “Tricycle Drivers and Operators Day” last Jan. 12 with a number of activities lined up for the occasion such as motorcade, parlor games, sports and family night. (PIA9)