• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office is conducting daily operations against tricycles and pedicabs plying the national roads and highways, but will intensify its campaign following a call from Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
Abalos reiterated his call Feb. 6 for local government units to strictly enforce regulations prohibiting tricycles and pedicabs from plying the national highways. He issued the reminder after a tricycle was hit by a passenger bus while traversing along the national highway in Camarines Norte Feb. 4.
“It is unfortunate that many LGUs have not been strictly implementing such regulations, which often result in traffic congestion and accidents,” Abalos said in a statement, adding that while tricycles and pedicabs “provide accessible and affordable modes of transportation, the safety of drivers, passengers, and road users are of utmost importance.”
BTAO deputy head, Jose Antonio Robello, told the Negros NOW Daily Feb. 6 that most of the 134 violations recently logged by the office, specifically along Alijis, Araneta, Mansilingan, and Sum-ag, were tricycles and single motorcycles, adding that they are conducting daily operations.
BTAO head Patrick Lacson posted a copy of DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-195 on the Bacolod Traffic Forum page, and said that they “will act on this particular DILG reminder…we are hoping for your full cooperation”.
MC 2023-195, dated Dec. 6, 2023, or the reinforcement of the prohibition on tricycles, pedicabs, and motorized pedicabs on national highways, also urged all local chief executives to reorganize or re-convene their Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to update the Tricycle Route Plan (TRP) that would include penal provisions for violators.
The TRP must contain the schematic map of the tricycle routes; installation of visible and appropriate signages, marks for lanes, and other safety measures to guide and protect all vehicles; and penalties to be imposed on violators, among others.
Under Bacolod City Ordinance (CO) 1003-2022, there are 5,610 tricycles-for-hire with existing franchise, comprising of 76 tricycle operators and drivers’ associations (TODAs).
CO 185, series of 1997, regulates the operation of tricycles and the grant of franchise, or motorized tricycle operator’s permit (MTOP), for their operation within the territorial jurisdiction of Bacolod.
Section 8 of the ordinance prohibits all types of motorized tricycle, whether private or for-hire, within the downtown area, bounded by Lizares Street on the south, turning right to Yulo Street then to Rosario Street connecting to San Juan Street on the west; Aquino Drive on the north connecting Lopez Jaena Street on the east, up to Amelia Street;
Along the national highways/roads, such as but not limited to Araneta highway, from Lizares Street up to the Bago City boundary; Lacson Street, from B.S Aquino Drive Lacson up to Talisay boundary; circumferential road;
Burgos Street, from Lopez Jaena junction up to Granada; B.S Aguino Drive, from Burgos junction up to the drydock of Sto. Nino stop; within the area bounded from the east by circumferential road to the reclamation area, North Drive and up to south bounded by Magsaysay Avenue; and along Bacolod-Alijis-Murcia road, from the Araneta junction up to boundary of Murcia. | CGC
