Alcover pushes for ordinance regulating operation of ‘tartanilla’

BEAST OF BURDEN. Once a reliable source of transportation, the horse drawn carriage is a living reminder of Cebu’s past.| CDN Digital File Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — To provide a systematic program that will ensure the livelihood of “kutseros” and the continued operation of the “tartanillas” in Cebu City, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. has proposed on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, an ordinance that would regulate their operations.

His draft resolution was referred to the council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling, Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and Committee on Animal Welfare for deliberation.

Alcover’s proposed measure aims to intensify or improve whatever is already existing programs in the city for this sector.

“I have talked to the people, stakeholders sa kalesa o tartanilla. Ang problema man gud nila kay mura’g wala maatiman sa gobyerno. Nagduso ko ana para ma-improve ang ilang livelihood, ma-maintain ang operation sa tartanilla kay dako ni silang tabang sa preservation sa atong culture,” he told CDN Digital in a follow up interview.

(I have talked to the people, stakeholders of kalesa or tartanilla. Their problem is that the government has not taken care of them. I am pushing that so that their livelihood will be improved, the operation of their tartanilla will be maintained because they are a big help in the preservation of our culture.)

Inter-department collaboration

Alcover’s proposed measure calls for inter-office collaboration between the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), and Cebu City Tourism Office (CCTO).

The DVMF would coordinate with the horse-owners or kutseros in conducting seminars to maintain the upkeep of the horses. The proposed ordinance also tasked the DVMF to give vitamins and a free veterinary check-up for horses every six months.

An amount of P1 million annually will be charged to the General Fund for the procurement of vitamins or medicine for the horses.

The CCTO is also asked to identify the routes that are in line with the heritage sites and their traditional routes.

“Nagkahilis ni sila, unya karon gi-limit pa g’yod ang ilang agianan. (With this ordinance), gi-define g’yod nato ang ilang parking area, kung asa sila makabyahe considering nga naa man tay mga heritage areas. Kana tingali mo cater na kung unsa orasa sila mobyahe or unsang adlawa,” he added.

(They have become fewer and their routes have become limited. (With the ordinance), we have defined their parking area and where they can travel, considering that we have heritage areas. Perhaps, that they can cater to that on what hour they will ply their routes and on what day.)

Alcover’s proposed ordinance also made the city’s Tourism Office the primary office that will “synergize” the tartanilla operators, accredited tour guides, and other organizations in promoting tourism programs involving the city’s heritage sites and museums.

The Tourism Office will also be the one to issue the permit-to-operate to tartanilla owners.

The permit to operate will already be part of the P250 annual fee that will be collected to  tartanilla owners; the amount already covers the payment for a permit-to-operate sticker and a plate number.

“Himoon natong presentable ang maong kalesa para limpyo tan-awon, ang mga kabayo healthy sad tan-awon,” Alcover said.

(We will make our kalesa presentable so that they will look clean and the horses too will be healthy to look at.)

Road safety devices, fare schedule, terminal

His ordinance include specifications to operationalize the operations of tartanillas. These units are to install road safety devices, such as a 2″ by 4″ reflectorized stickers in all sides, tartanilla lanterns or lamp to be placed in front of the unit.

All horse-drawn carriages must also have its cleaning kits including pan, broom, squeegee, and a pail for washing away horses urine.

A fare matrix must also be placed in the tartanilla.

If Alcover’s proposed ordinance will be passed, the fare for an hour of package tour for tourists would be P200; P50 per person from point of origin to any tourist spot or site, and P10 per person as minimum rate in its identified traditional routes.

Included in the proposed resolution is the task of CCTO to regulate designated terminals.

The designated terminals for regular trips of tartanillas is at both sides of Leon Kilat Street. For tourist trips, tartanillas can park at the open space beside the Parian monument.

The measure also contains corresponding penalties for violation of its provisions.

Alcover noted that tartanilla is among the tangible heritages of the city and considers the oldest means of transportation after World War II.

However, he said as of now, only less than 100 tartanillas were operating in the city.

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