Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian commends five tricycle drivers for their honesty in returning the belongings of their passengers.

The drivers, members of various Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) in Valenzuela City, were accompanied by Mr. Jay Valenzuela, Officer-in-Charge of the Valenzuela City Transportation Office (VCTO), together with various TODA officers, to Mayor WIN in a courtesy call at his office.

Romeo P. Monis of the PMUTODA, plying the Paso De Blas-Mapulang Lupa-Ugong route, returned Php 23,950 to owner Annalyn Macal, a resident of Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Macal, who left her wallet inside Monis’ tricycle, immediately boarded a QC-bound jeepney unaware of what she left behind. Monis took all necessary means to return Macal’s property – even announcing it on a radio station – and waited for five months while enduring calls from bogus claimants.  The property was eventually returned to its rightful owner.

“Nakagagaan ng pakiramdam na magsoli ng gamit, lalo na pagkatapos kong ipanawagan sa radyo yung pangalan nung may-ari. Maraming nag-text para magpasalamat sa mga kagaya kong nagsosoli ng mga naiwang gamit.(It feels great when you return something that is not yours, especially I called for the owner on the radio, people everywhere texted me to express their gratitude for what I did.)” Monis said in an interview.

The other tricycle drivers who received commendations were: Wilfredo D. Liquigan, member of Balubaran-Malabo TODA (BMTODA) who returned Php 17,800; Reynaldo C. Carlos (BMTODA) of Barangay Malinta, returned Php 620 to Dionesio G. Villasis, Jr.; Sonny Boy G. Alcaraz (BMTODA) a resident of Barangay Maysan returned PhP 500 to Francisco De Vicente of Barangay Canumay; Hernani B. Borejon (BMTODA) also from Barangay Maysan, returned Php 1,300 to Ronald E. Española of Barangay Canumay, Valenzuela City.

“In behalf of our city and the riding public, we applaud our friends in the transport sector for being role models of honest and genuine public service,” Mayor WIN said.

The tricycle drivers were presented with a plaque of commendation, citing their invaluable contribution to the moral upbringing of public transport providers.

-with reports from Mark Lester Cayabyab