A group of tricycle operators and drivers serving students of the Catanduanes State University has sought the intervention of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over a deal granting a rival group the right to park at both pedestrian gates at the campus’ main entrance.
In a letter send to CHED Chairperson Prospero E. de Vera III, the University Gym Market Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (UGM-TODA) requested the former’s intervention regarding the group’s request for President Patrick Alain T. Azanza to allow them to utilize Gate 2 as their parking space.
Azanza had granted another group, State Capitol TODA, the right to park at both Gates 1 and 2 for a fee through a Memorandum of Agreement signed late last year.
During a hearing conducted by the Sangguniang Bayan last Jan. 19, 2024, UGM-TODA’s Igmedio Socao claimed that before, their original parking space was at Gate 2 while STACAP TODA was at Gate 1.
Former STACAP TODA president Jun Obusan Torres admitted that it was his group which grabbed the Gate 2 space from UGM TODA after being allowed to join the tricycle queue during the pandemic.
In 2021, it secured an agreement with CatSU to use the Gate 2 parking space, with UGM relegated to the less lucrative Gate 1.
It was also learned that unlike UGM, STACAP is not an accredited non-government organization with the municipal government of Virac.
Last Jan. 31, UGM officials wrote Dr. Azanza to request that their group be given a chance to apply for a MOA allowing them to park at Gate 2, with STACAP moved to their original parking space at Gate 1.
With their request unresolved, the UGM officials sought the CHED’s assistance, citing difficulties to perform their occupation.
“Although we honestly felt discriminated, oppressed and deprived of our rights since the assumption of Dr. Azanza as CatSU president, we chose to diplomatically work out to solve our problem and dispute with Dr. Azanza and other party, looking forward for a win-win solution, rather than filing a formal complaint against Dr. Azanza in your good office or the Office of the Ombudsman,” they stated.