TODA Aksyon Partylist first nominee, former Valenzuela City Councilor Rovin Feliciano, strongly believes in the need for stronger representation of the rights and welfare of one of the country’s most overlooked sectors: tricycle drivers and operators.
In a "BakitIkaw: DZRH Job Interview," Feliciano emphasized that, unlike regular employees, tricycle drivers have no fallback or safety nets such as government benefits.
“Alam niyo naman na ang tricycle driver hindi katulad ng ibang empleyado pwedeng pasuwelduhin ng employer. Umaasa sila sa araw-araw na pasada. Kung walang pasada, walang kita, walang kakainin ang kanilang pamilya,” he said.
Feliciano criticized the current lack of representation of the transportation sector in Congress, despite the party-list system’s original intent to amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
“Sa katunayan, wala pong ni-isang transport party-list ang nakaupo ngayon sa Kongreso,” he lamented. “Kaya naiiwanan ang sektor ng tricycle — walang benepisyo, walang malinaw kung sino ang maghahandle,” Feliciano added.
Calling for social protection and long-term support
Feliciano proposes initiatives to support the tricycle drivers welfare, such as Mandatory Social Benefits, education assistance for at least one child per tricycle driver, and free legal aid, which is a legal representation for TODA members to help assert their rights.
He stressed the financial burden drivers shoulder, noting that on fuel taxes alone, they contribute around P25,000 a year to the government.
“Sa panahon po ngayon, sa gasolina natin may dalawang uri ng buwis — excise tax at VAT. Halos P25,000 ang ibinabayad ng tricycle drivers sa pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng buwis sa langis lamang.”
He also cited failures in government subsidy distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many tricycle drivers were excluded from fuel aid due to technical requirements like bank accounts or online banking application access.
“Kaya naiiwanan ang sektor ng tricycle, walang benepisyo, walang malinaw kung sino ang maghahandle,” he stated.
“Katulad na lamang noong nagkaroon ng fuel subsidy noong pandemya kaya hindi lahat nagkaroon ng fuel subsidy pinagbukas ng bank account, gcash pero wala pa raw 10% ang nagkaroon ng ganitong ayuda.”
“Hindi lamang ayuda dapat pangmatagalang plano sa sektor ng tricycle at transportation natin dahil kawawa ang sektor na ito, naiiwanan,” he reiterated.
Modernization with compassion
Meanwhile, Feliciano acknowledged the need to transition to electric vehicles as mandated by the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which requires all vehicles to be electric or hybrid by 2040.
However, he insisted that the government must provide clear and accessible assistance.
“Hindi namin kinukundena ang pagbabago. Parte ‘yan ng pag-unlad. Pero dapat may maayos at klarong tulong ang pamahalaan. Hindi kakayanin ng ordinaryong tricycle driver ang buwanang hulog sa electric tricycle units.”
He added that during a tricycle federation meeting in Biñan, Laguna, the estimated cost of an electric tricycle ranged from P350,000 to P500,000.
“Nagtanong daw [sila] sa mga supplier average daw ay P350,000 to P500,000 ang isang electric tricycle so medyo mahal po ito,” which he expressed dismay.
Combating digital displacement: “Hindi maiiwanan ang traditional mode of transportation”
With the rise of modern transportation services, Feliciano discussed the impact of ride-hailing apps on traditional tricycle drivers, calling for a government-developed alternative with zero commission fees.
“May mga online apps na ang 20% ay komisyon. Kaya walang kinikita ang mga tricycle driver. Dapat may application ang gobyerno na walang komisyon para sa kanila,” he highlighted.
To combat this, Feliciano continues to push for a provision under the proposed Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers and Operators, which aims to ensure their participation in the digital economy without being exploited.
“Kabilang po iyan sa isulong natin na mga probisyon na Magna Carta for tricycle driver and operators. Bahagi nito ang pagtulong sa kanila sa kanilang hanapbuhay sa modernisasyon na magaganap para hindi maiiwanan ang traditional mode of transportation natin na tricycle,” he suggested.
Conducting regulatory unity and training
The TODA Aksyon Partylist also seeks the creation of a national regulatory body to harmonize inconsistent LGU ordinances and implement a standard framework.
“Kailangan may regulatory agency sa national government na magsusupervise sa LGUs. Gagawa ng pamantayan, ibig sabihin, ang LGU ay gagawa ng ordinansa based sa minimum requirements ng national government,” he believed.
He added a proposal, requiring Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) training for tricycle drivers as part of the permit renewal process.
“Hindi lang dapat bata ang tinuturuan ng GMRC, pati matanda,” Feliciano emphasized.
Moreover, through TODA Aksyon, Feliciano hopes to break the cycle of poverty for thousands of Filipino families by giving them opportunity, protection, voice, and power.
“Ang TODA upang maging tinig ng ordinaryong tricycle driver, ng kanilang pamilya, at ng mahihirap na Pilipino sa Kongreso ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” Feliciano declared.
