Tricycle ban on major roads pushed

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Tuesday reminded local government units to enforce its order banning tricycles and pedicabs from national roads.

In his directive, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo called on governors, mayors and members of the local legislative councils to properly implement the guidelines regarding the operation of tricycles and pedicabs in their respective areas.

“For the safety of the drivers and the passengers, please ensure that the ban on tricycles and pedicabs along national highways is strictly observed,” Robredo said.

He said regional and field offices of the DILG had been receiving reports that a number of tricycles were still using national roads in violation of a department order issued in 2007.

Robredo said the same department order also set minimum standards which city and town councils should use in crafting their own regulatory measures for operations of tricycles.

He said tricycle and other similar contraptions were only allowed to ply the national highways “if there is no other alternative road network available” as attested by the Department of Transportation and Communications.