Given the way tricycles and pedicabs operate along Bacolod City’s main thoroughfares, along with the entire province, are they considered “public transport?” Considering how local government units tolerate their behavior, I looked up Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) guidelines on the matter and found that former DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who served the post from 2010 to 2012, issued a multitude of memoranda calling for a ban on the said vehicles from national highways and main roads.
In several statements, the DILG stated: “Tricycles and bicycle-pedicabs are not allowed on national highways and main thoroughfares.” More recently, current DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año reiterated the sentiment: “For safety reasons, no tricycle or pedicab should operate on national highways utilized by four-wheel vehicles greater than four tons and where normal speeds exceeds 40 kilometers per hour.”
While the government recognizes some Filipinos make a living from operating tricycles and pedicabs, the DILG said, permitted entry onto main thoroughfares “poses hazards to other motor vehicles, the riding public, and even to the drivers themselves.”
“The regulation of tricycles and pedicabs on national highways is, therefore , to the best of everyone,” Año affirmed.
However, who will apprehend the violators? Given how rarely memorandum circulars are implemented, will the cabinet official formally sanction local government units for not complying? While DILG field office may be reporting offenses committed by unregulated operation of tricycles and pedicabs, a mere meomorandum without corresponding sanctions makes the policy unenforceable.
A prime example of irresponsible tricycle drivers are those plying from Bangga Cory, along Circumferential Road, to Lopues East. On their return trips to Bangga Cory most will counterflow as they approach their destination.
The Local Government Code authorizes mayors and their councils to regulate tricycle operations within their respective jurisdictions.
The DILG has urged local authorities to strictly adhere to the standards and guidelines provided by Memorandum Circular 2007-01, which contains basic considerations in the preparation of city or municipal tricycle and pedicab franchises, along with regulatory ordinance or code. The guidelines include the banning of tricycles and pedicabs along the national highways, prohibiting the said vehicles from carrying more passengers and goods than what they are designed for, what is authorized in the franchise, among other issues./WDJ