THE PASAHERO Party-list has secured a coveted endorsement from the organization of various tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA) federations in the National Capital Region (NCR).

NCR TODA Coalition, which has about 150,000 members across 17 localities in Metro Manila, is not only endorsing PASAHERO PARTY-LIST’s bid for a congressional seat, but is also partnering with the party-list group for the upcoming May elections.

The PASAHERO PARTY-LIST-NCR TODA partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on Thursday by PASAHERO PARTY-LIST spokesperson Atty. Homer Alinsug, NCR TODA Coalition president Ismael “Ace” Sevilla, and presidents of 13 TODA federations across the metropolis.

Under the MOA, PASAHERO PARTY-LIST and NCR TODA agreed to consolidate their efforts and resources to achieve their common goal of electing a party-list representative in Congress who “genuinely advocates, among others, the rights and interests of tricycle operators, its passengers, and drivers as well as riders organizations.”

In the event that the main goal of having a partylist representative is achieved, both parties vowed to “continually work with each other to truly represent the genuine interests of the TODA and protect their rights and welfare through legislative actions and programs as may be mutually agreed upon.”

Alinsug said the endorsement of NCR TODA Coalition is a welcome boost to PASAHERO PARTY-LIST’s congressional bid.

“We sincerely thank NCR TODA Coalition for its endorsement and support for PASAHERO Party-list,” Alinsug said. “We look forward to working alongside the coalition to empower tricycle operators and drivers through the legislation we will push in Congress should we win in the party-list elections.”

Sevilla, for his part, said that of all the party-list groups that approached NCR TODA, only PASAHERO PARTY-LIST had demonstrated genuine concern for the tricycle sector.

He added that PASAHERO PARTY-LIST’s advocacies are so much in line with the coalition’s priorities.

“Sa lahat ng party-list group na lumapit sa amin at naglatag ng plataporma, itong PASAHERO PARTY-LIST lang ang nakitaan namin ng pagkakahawig o pagkakapareho sa aming adbokasiya,” Sevilla said.

PASAHERO PARTY-LIST, also known as the Passengers and Riders Organization Inc., is a non-stock and non-profit organization that seeks to represent the riding public in road, sea, and air including tricycle operators and drivers all over the Philippines. It aims to address the issues brought about by the mass transportation crisis in the country.

The Commission on Elections has declared PASAHERO PARTY-LIST as among the party-list groups eligible to participate in the May 2022 general elections.

PASAHERO PARTY-LIST seeks to assist the government in assuring that the country has an efficient, reliable, clean, and safe public transportation for its people.

It also aims to initiate and promote a reformed public transportation where the needs and rights of the Filipino passengers are recognized and safeguarded and ultimately, to promote goals and programs in the upliftment of lives among Filipino road, air and sea passengers.

Other signatories to the MOA are TODA federation presidents Gardy Geronimo (Taguig City, 1st District), Sonny Ferrer (Taguig City, 2nd District), Alvin Niebres (Makati City), Homer Jalandoni (Muntinlupa City), Armando Airan Jr. (Pateros), Marcelnino Copia (Parañaque City), Reynaldo Bautista (Las Piñas), Mar Sorreda (Pasig City), Ofelia Granado (Manila), Emmanuel Aldana (Caloocan City, 2nd District), Alfredo Severa (San Juan City), Cornelio Baylon (Valenzuela City), and Arnel Andres (Parañaque City).

Also signing the MOA as witnesses are other NCR TODA officials, namely: chairman Pablo Cantoria Jr.; treasurer Ronaldo Vivero; executive officers Romeo Flores and Hadji Akmad Wahab; board members Ronaldo Guinto, Vener Obispo and Luther Estrada; and secretary-general Isagani Bogabel.