Cagayan Valley commuters eye comeback of kalesa

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Move over tricycles and jeepneys, here comes the kalesa, the country’s erstwhile king of the road.

Indeed, the idea of returning to horse-drawn carriages seems to be gaining ground among the local populace amid continuing fare hikes as a result of the non-stop increase of prices of petroleum products.

In Cagayan Valley’s five provinces, only Tuguegarao City in northernmost Cagayan maintains its horse-drawn carts, which, besides being a major mode of transportation within the city’s downtown, is also part of its tourist come-ons.

According to Alajandro Dacanay, a public school head teacher here, whose late grandfathers and uncles were kalesa drivers, the return to this mode of transportation is timely and environment-friendly, and is also “one way of honoring our past heritage.”

Likewise, “maintaining an automobile is becoming prohibitive for private persons, so I won’t be surprised if there would come a time that people would junk these for kalesa or pattuki (carabao-drawn cart) or bicycle,” said labor leader Norma Navoa.

Still others say they find the idea of shifting transport to animal-drawn vehicles “quaint” but grudgingly agree that it is the most practical alternative, in addition to bicycling and walking.

“I now seldom use any of my motor vehicles, whether my motorcycle or my car, due to the high cost of prices of gasoline,” said Mang Francis, a computer shop owner.

Rudie Bueno, former director of the government’s PhilippineInformation Agency, who now heads a non-government organization said, “It’s high time that we go back to the traditional mode of transportation which is not only economical but environmentally friendly and even enjoyable.”

In, Isabela, the Cauayan City government is also considering the acquisition of a fleet of kalesas and pedicabs for thousands of city commuters for a fare way below what the tricycles are charging.

In other developments, government officials here expressed varied reactions on the idea with some considering it best fit for so-called tourist areas rather than as general transport since less number of people could be transported by kalesa or pedicabs, while others are lauding the idea.

Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, said the kalesa would be a “refreshing revival for tourism” but added that the problem could be best solved by a “mass transit system.”

“It would be a refreshing revival for tourism but we can’t deny industry’s dependence on motor vehicles. Another help would be an improved mass transit system,” he said.

Others said that kalesas or pedicabs for house-to-house transportation are generally acceptable especially in the light of the increasing fuel prices.