DILG: Enforce tricycle ban on national highways

IGNORING BAN In this June 2018 photo, tricycles on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City ferry passengers apparently with little regard for their safety. —FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday directed local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce the ban on tricycles, including pedicabs, on national highways, by forming a tricycle task force that would draw up alternative routes for them.

“They do not only obstruct roads but can sometimes cause road accidents,” said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement, noting that the ban had long existed, but enforcement by LGUs has been lax.

Año said the ban should be absolute and that tricycles and pedicabs should not even be allowed to cross or make a U-turn on national highways.

“Local governments must review and modify tricycle routes according to the ban and are encouraged to include in their plans the construction of local roads or overpasses where the tricycles can operate,” the official said, adding that a tricycle task force should be created in every locality.

—Jeannette I. Andrade