Ride on: looking at the problems of motorized tricycle drivers in urban and rural areas

Abstract

Tricycle is now becoming one of the most used modes of transportation in the Philippines. It is a very complex industry that is continuously growing in both the rural and urban areas. There is a need to assist the growing population of workers working in this sector and the associations that they belong to, and further improve the services offered in this industry. This paper discussed the problems of the motorized tricycle drivers and the assistance that their association and the government is giving them. Ninety nine (99) motorized tricycle drivers were surveyed and interviewed in Ibaan, Batangas (rural) and in Las Piñas City (urban). The respondents were members of CITODAI (Ibaan, Batangas) and TODA Blue (Las Piñas City). Officials from both associations were also interviewed. Data showed that people performing this low skilled job are the most productive bracket in the labour force. The motorized tricycle drivers are living on a subsistence level, earning below the poverty threshold taking into consideration the household size. They are confronted with a number of problems such as continuous increase of the price of gas and spare parts, tricycle maintenance, and there are not enough passengers. Data further showed that the association in Las Piñas has broader functions and more responsive to the needs and problems of their members than the association in Ibaan, Batangas. The association in Las Piñas has been the bridge of the tricycle drivers to the government to get higher access to services such as medical services and other benefits. The national government has devolved the responsibility to the local government to help the motorized tricycle drivers in their areas but help and assistance from the government are still not felt significantly. This is more prominent in Ibaan than in Las Piñas.