Valenzuela City reduces registration fees for pedicabs

MANILA, Philippines — Pedicab owners and drivers in Valenzuela City can breathe easier after the city government lowered registration fees for the transport vehicle.

City Ordinance 28, series of 2013, which was enacted earlier this year, has amended the Land Transportation Code of Valenzuela City, particularly provisions on fees for registering pedicabs.

The amendments mean that the registration fee for public utility pedicabs is now just P100, down from the previous P200, while the registration fee for private utility pedicabs is now also P100, down from the previous P150.

According to the ordinance’s authors, Councilors Gerard Esplana and Marlon Paulo Alejandrino, the ordinance aims to lessen the expenses of pedicab drivers, which in turn will boost their income, as generally, many pedicab drivers and operators in the city are poor.

Pedicabs are a common and basic transport form in the city. The city’s transportation code mandates that pedicab owners must renew their registrations yearly.

The Valenzuela City Transportation Office (VCTO) supervises the registration process for pedicab drivers. The office requires a driver’s ID, which serves as their license and proof of registration.

To obtain an ID, pedicab drivers and operators are required to submit documents such as barangay clearance and certification of membership in a pedicab operators and drivers association (PODA).

Pedicab drivers are also mandated to attend the Pedicab Drivers Professionalization Program seminar to brief them on traffic rules and regulations and related city ordinances.

Finally, pedicab drivers are required to present their pedicabs for roadworthiness inspections and the payment of the registration fee.

The VCTO said it has started disseminating the new fees to PODAs and other related government agencies.