City implementing tricycle ban in highways

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Mayor Edgardo Labella said that the city is strictly implementing the memorandum of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) banning tricycles along the highway.

He added that if there is a need to make a legislative intervention, the council will do so.

The DILG has issued a memorandum circular last January 10 requiring governors, city and municipal government officials to review the city or municipal tricycle and pedicab franchise and regulatory ordinances on the use of public roads, pathways, and alleys.

Labella said Cebu City has already strictly implemented the regulation of tricycles in the main road even without the order, and violations are not rampant in the city.

He said that the tricycle operation in Cebu City is being regulated by the motorcycle for hire regulatory body, and that the tricycles are not regulated by the national government and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, but by the local government.

“Insakto man kamandoan, it’s just a matter of implementation, mismo kita sa Cebu we have been implementing that,” said Labella.

He said that there are isolated cases of violation in the city, but it is not as much compared to other cities.

“So far as Cebu City is concerned, there are not so many violations, but nonetheless we will strictly enforce the highway act,” said Labella.

He added that if there is a need to go over specific ordinances, the council will do so and make the necessary amendments.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and the City Highway Patrol Group- Cebu City Police Office will assist in the implementation. Labella said that they have already made an agreement with Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano.

The DILG has urged the LGUs to make a task force, and Labella said that they will do so.

Under the DILG memorandum, no tricycle or pedicab should operate on national highways, whether utilized by four-wheel vehicles greater than four tons and where normal speed exceed 40 kph.

The tricycles and pedicabs are also not allowed to carry more than what they are designed for.

Under Section 46 of Republic Act 4136, parking is prohibited in specified places, namely on crosswalk, within an intersection, within six meters of the intersection of curb lines, within four meters of the driveway entrance to any fire station, within four meters of a fire hydrant, in front of a private driveway, on the road way side of any parked vehicle, and at any place where an official signs prohibiting parking is placed.  GAN (FREEMAN)