LGUs told: Ban tricycles on national highways

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government has reiterated its call to local government units concerning the prohibition of tricycles from operating on national highways for the safety of tricycle drivers, its passengers and other road users.

While tricycles, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs play a significant role by providing affordable and accessible modes of transportation to the people at the same time a good source of income to others, it has come to DILG’s attention reports of these modes of transportation continue to ply the national highways with incidents of accidents involving them.

DILG issued Memorandum Circular 2023-195 last December 6 signed by its officer-in-charge Undersecretary Marlo Iringan concerning this matter.

All local chief executives (LCEs) are reminded and directed to strictly implement the rules and regulations in line with this.

LCEs are expected to re-organize and/or re-convene its Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to draft and/or update its Tricycle Route Plan(TRP) which include schematic map of the tricycle routes, installation of visible and appropriate signages, marks for lanes, and other safety measures to guide and protect all vehicles; information-dissemination plans, color scheme or any visible emblem/signs imposed on tricycles which are allowed to ply a route which transverses a national highway: and penalties to be imposed on violators.

The TRPs has to be ensured as valid and effective and updated regularly.

Coordination with the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) team is also expected to ensure the identification, inclusion, and provision of alternative routes to those who will be affected by this prohibition.

LGUs are also to conduct consultation meetings with the associations and cooperatives of the affected drivers, and barangay officials, as applicable, to discuss and secure inputs and/or comments on the provision of alternative routes as required by Section 2(c) of the Local Government Code of 1991 and lay out the operating conditions necessary for the issuance of the Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit/Pedicab Operator’s Permit (MTOP/POP).

“As much as practicable, ensure implementation of permanent and long-term solutions in the plan, such as the construction of local roads or overpasses to serve as alternative routes for tricycles and pedicabs whose regular routes will be affected by this prohibition,” part of the memo reads.

Should there be no alternative routes available and as a last resort, the respective sanggunians of the LGU may consider issuing an exception and/or are highly encouraged to enact an ordinance providing a portion of the national highway (ideally the outermost lane) to be utilized as an alternative route provided that strict enforcement of road safety and regulations is primarily observed.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod is also to ensure that a thorough review of ordinances enacted by its component cities and municipalities to, as much as reasonable, “harmonize and complement traffic schemes and regulations within the province.”

Barangays are also directed to ensure cooperation with the cities or municipalities in implementing local policies for the purpose herein and coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in enforcing the ordinance and/or similar local issuances, especially in the apprehension of violators will be done. — (FREEMAN)