Pasay cracks down on pedicabs

MANILA, Philippines - Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad has issued an order prohibiting drivers of pedicabs – bicycles with sidecars – from plying certain parts of the city in order to improve the flow of vehicular traffic in these areas.

The Pasay City government has banned pedicabs from a portion of P. Santos street (between Edsa and F. Cruz street) and C. Jose street (F. Cruz to Edsa). It also declared both sides of Malibay Plaza Circle a no-parking zone.

Concerned local officials said P. Santos street is a narrow one-way thoroughfare while C. Jose street is a two-way road.

Trinidad said the proliferation of pedicabs in these areas makes it unsafe for residents, motorists, pedestrians and commuters.

He also said the indiscriminate parking of vehicles at the Malibay Plaza Circle has caused the heavy build-up of traffic in the area. Some residents also use the circle as a place to repair their vehicles, Trinidad said.

Trinidad directed the chief of the Pasay Traffic and Parking Management Office (PTPMO) to make sure that the traffic alleviation scheme is implemented.

He said the PTPMO should coordinate with barangay officials and cause the installation of appropriate traffic signs. – Rhodina Villanueva