By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – 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) will also be called.
Earlier, City Councilor Midelo Ocampo said Roxas City is not ready to implement DILG’s Memorandum Circular 036-2020 which bans tricycle and pedicabs from national highways.
Ocampo said the ban will affect not just passengers but the livelihood of tricycle owners and drivers as well.
He added that most roads here are classified as national and the aim of the national government to prevent fatal traffic accidents is good.
The councilor said he met Wilson Devela, Roxas City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (RCTODA) president, who asked for help to talk with Mayor Ronnie Dadivas so they can air their concerns.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Maintenance and Construction Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Capiz 1st Engineering District said they need to dialogue with the Local Government Unit regarding Memorandum Circular No. 036-2020.
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.
