DUMAGUETE CITY -- The city government of Dumaguete, through its sectoral desk, has cited tricycle drivers for their good deeds, including 22 tricycle drivers who returned cash and other valuable items left by passengers, as it capped its People’s Week celebration on Friday.
As part of the culmination activity of the celebration which ran from Dec. 2 to 6, the sectoral desk headed by Albert Aquino thought of recognizing the good deeds of tricycle drivers.
While actions of discourteous, arrogant and disrespectful pedicab drivers caught on video would usually go viral in social media, local government units have to do something for “a few good men in the tricycle industry in Dumaguete City”, he said.
Aquino said these tricycle drivers deserve a pat on their shoulders and should be recognized together with their families to show the city is proud of them.
Upon inventory, 22 tricycle drivers have returned cash and other personal belongings and valuable items left by passengers and were turned over to the police, to radio stations, to the sectoral desk, and the Traffic Management Office (TMO).
“What they need is only a simple word of thanks,” Aquino said.
One tricycle driver could not hold back his tears when interviewed by the sectoral desk, saying that in spite of poverty, he cannot afford to let his children eat from using the money left by another person in his rented tricycle unit. His wife and children shared the same sentiment in expressing pride about his good deeds.
Aquino is hoping this simple recognition activity would be a wake-up call to local officials to make this an annual activity and mainstream as a program of the city, not just for pedicab drivers, during the celebration of People’s Week.
He said giving rewards to individuals, especially in the public utility sector, does not necessarily come in the form of cash, but a simple certificate of recognition to be signed by the local chief executive.
However, it does not preclude the possibility for the city council or the executive to think of other forms of incentives that they might consider necessary later on.
Of the 25 to be given recognition so far since last year, 15 have responded to the invitation for the Friday afternoon awarding activity at Quezon Park led by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo.
Those who committed to attend were Isaias Arapoc, Ricky Callao, Ronald Fonollera, Bobby Sta. Ana, Jelbert Balasabas, Eligio Gajelloma, Joenard Sta. Ana, Valentino Seblero, Danilo Martinez, Lucrecio Visitacion, Jinler Acab, Odwender Daspi, Bonifacio Cadalin, Josechito Abella and Reynaldo Cerbo. (PNA)
