LGUs told to strictly enforce ban on tricycles along national roads

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday ordered local chief executives to strictly implement 6th ban on tricycles and pedicabs along national highways as part of its efforts to clear roads of obstructions.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano issued the directive after receiving reports that tricycles continue to ply national highways.

Ano said three-wheeled vehicles are also not allowed to cross or make a U-turn on national roads due to safety concerns. Aside from Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, Ano said they have issued several memorandum circulars prohibiting the presence of tricycles and pedicabs on national roads.

The DILG chief also ordered local government units to form tricycle task forces to formulate appropriate route plans for tricycles and other three-wheeled vehicles. The task force will be composed of the mayor as chairman and the chief of police as vice-chairman. The other members of the task force are the Sanggunian’s committee chair on transportation or public safety, the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the head of the tricycle regulatory board, the head of the Department of Public Order and Safety, the planning and development officer, the head of the traffic management office, and the local government operations officer.

Ano warned that administrative cases will be filed against local government officials who will ignore his directives.

He also said that compliance with the trike ban order will form part of the validation and assessment of the compliance of local government units to the continued implementation of the presidential directive on road clearing. Philippine Star News Service, FPL (FREEMAN)