In response to the recorded numbers of accidents involving tricycles and pedicabs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) told local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce the ban on such vehicles on national roads and highways, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday reminded anew local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce the ban on pedicabs and tricycles on national roads and highways.
“It is unfortunate that many LGUs have not been strictly implementing such regulations which often result in traffic congestion and accidents,” DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said in a statement.
This came after a tricycle was hit by a passenger bus plying the national highway in Labo, Camarines Norte on Feb. 4.
Abalos said that while tricycles and pedicabs provide accessible and affordable modes of transportation, the safety of drivers, passengers and road users are of utmost importance.
The DILG chief, however, emphasized that in cases where there are no alternative routes available and as a last resort, LGUs through their respective Sanggunian (councils) may issue an exception.
This is in compliance with the Land Transportation Office’s Memorandum Circular 94-199 issued 1994, which sets the guidelines on the devolution of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s franchising power over tricycles-for-hire to LGUs, pursuant to the Local Government Code.
The DILG in 2020 issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-036 prohibiting tricycles, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways.
It also recently released MC 2023-195 urging all local chief executives to reorganize or reconvene their Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to update their Tricycle Route Plan (TRP) that would include penal provisions for violators.
Based on data from the Metro Manila Accident and Reporting System, Abalos said 2,829 road accidents involving bicycles, e-bikes and pedicabs were logged in 2022 alone, which is aside from 2,241 road accidents involving tricycles.
On Monday, the municipal government of San Mateo in Rizal province started apprehending e-bikes, tricycles and pedicabs plying national roads.
For further insight, posted below are images of DILG’s Memorandum Circular 2023-195.
Below is the PDF copy of the MC 2023-195 available for viewing and download.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you concerned that the rise of tricycles, pedicabs and electric bikes (e-bikes) on national roads and highways are the direct result of the local government’s negligence? Do you think your local government made a secret pact or deal with the operators of pedicabs, tricycles and e-bikes which granted them freedom to travel along national roads and highways? Do you think that e-bikes and electric tricycles (e-trikes) were designed to be safe and stable?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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