Council seeks exemption from DILG tricycle ban

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— The Sanggunian Panlungsod (SP) here has asked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to spare this city from its order banning tricycles and other motorized pedicabs from national roads.

In a privilege speech during Tuesday’s regular session, City Councilor Gary Potato said tricycle is the main mode of transportation in the city, thus, banning it will paralyze the city and lead to the eventual loss of livelihood for tricycle drivers and operators.

A resolution was passed and approved by the city council calling for the exemption.

Earlier, Mayor Ronnie Dadivas has asked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to spare the city from the ban on tricycle, pedicab, and motorized pedicabs on national highways.

Dadivas said all roads here are linked to the national highway, thus vehicles covered by the ban cannot avoid but pass the said road.

The most common mode of transportation here are tricycles.

He said commuters, tricycle operators, and drivers will be affected if the DILG memorandum is strictly implemented.

Dadivas said the city government will find remedies to protect the interest of the tricycle sector.

The mayor will also issue an executive order creating Roxas City Tricycle Task Force (RCTTF) to look for alternative solutions like the route plan to avoid traffic accidents involving tricycles.

A public consultation with tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA) was also called.

Engr. Julius Abela said the implementation should be done gradually so that tricycle drivers and operators would not lose their livelihoods.

He added that local officials should find alternative solutions because this is a law that should be followed and implemented.

DPWH Department Order No. 73 Series of 2014 strictly bans obstruction/encroachment or usurpation on the right of way in the national road and highway.

Abela said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered LGUs to clear identified road obstructions as mandated in the campaign of the government on Road Clearing Operation 2.0.