The 20th Davao City Council approved on second reading on Tuesday an amendment to City Ordinance No. 0334- 12, or the Comprehensive Traffic Code of Davao City, extending the validity of Motorized Transport Operator’s Permit fees to two years.
The Motorized Transport Operator’s Permit (MTOP) or franchise is being issued by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office. This allows a motorcycle owner or operator to operate tricycles-for-hire over specialized zones in Davao City.
During the session, the council adopted the new adjusted MTOP fee of Php 1,999, which is valid for two years. Recently, the annual franchise fee was at Php 1,620.
“Because of the deletion of the word “annual” Php 1990 lang for two years ang ilahang bayaran (the amount to be paid) instead of Php 3,440,” said City Transport and Traffic Management Board Representative, Atty. Eduardo Perez IV.
He said that the Php 500 registration fee is already included in the amount and will also be collected once in every two years.
Councilor Conrado Baluran, the proponent of the ordinance, said during the session that the main purpose of the amendment is to encourage the 15,000 running Motorized Transportation for Hire (MTH) that do not have MTOPs to secure and legalize their operations.
There are only about 5,000 MTH registered in the city.
Chona Advincula, Head of the CTTMO’s Motororized Vehicle Franchise and Regulatory Division (MVFRD), said that the amendment is favorable to motorcycle vehicle operators.
“Pabor na kaayo ni para sa ilaha dako na kaayo ang ilahang natipid ba kumbaga dako na kaayo to nga tabang(This [amendment] is really in their favor, they really can save a lot, it is such a huge help for them),” Advincula said.
Advincula, in a media interview, said that they will still implement the five units per franchise rule.
Perez also added that in line with this, the CTTMO will deploy dedicated personnel to ensure that MTH in the city are compliant with the franchise requirement. CIO
