THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) repeated its call for local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce regulations that will ban tricycles and pedicabs from plying national highways.
DILG chief Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. explained that the safety of drivers, passengers and road users are of utmost importance, even if trikes and pedicabs are deemed to provide accessible and affordable modes of transportation.
“LGUs should, therefore, enforce the law dahil kaligtasan ng publiko ang nakasalalay dito,” he said.
The reminder was issued after a tricycle was hit by a passenger bus while traversing along the national highway in Labo, Camarines Norte last February 4.
“It is unfortunate that many LGUs have not been strictly implementing such regulations which often result in traffic congestion and accidents,” he pointed out.
The DILG chief, however, emphasized that in cases where there are no alternative routes available and as a last resort, the LGU, through its Sanggunian, may issue an exception.
This is in accordance with LTO MC 94-199 issued on May 2, 1994 providing for the guidelines to implement the devolution of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) franchising authority over tricycles-for-hire to LGUs pursuant to the Local Government Code (RA 7160).
It can be recalled that in February 2020, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-036 that prohibits trikes, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways, and reiterated on MC No. 2020-145 released for the continuation of the road clearing.
The DILG also recently released MC 2023-195 that urged all local chief executives to reorganize or re-convene their Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to update their Tricycle Route Plan (TRP) that would include penal provisions for violators.
Citing reports from the Metro Manila Accident and Reporting System, Abalos said that in 2022 alone 2,829 road accidents were recorded involving bikes, e-bikes and pedicabs.
The number is separate from the 2,241 road accidents involving tricycles.
Meanwhile, Abalos commended the Municipality of San Mateo, Rizal for strictly enforcing the ban of e-bikes, tricycles and pedicabs on national roads starting February 5, and urged other LGUs to do the same.
“Kudos to the LGU of San Mateo, Rizal sa pagbabawal nila ng mga trike at e-bike sa national road. Matagal na din po natin itong pinapaalala sa ating mga pamahalaang lokal, sana po ay sumunod na din po ang iba,” Abalos said.
Apprehension of tricycles and pedicabs plying on national roads in San Mateo will lead to a hefty fine while tricycle drivers will also be fined for the first two violations and revocation of franchise for the third apprehension.