Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expressed worry over the effects of the strict implementation of the tricycle ban in Iloilo City.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG) recently issued a memorandum directing local government units (LGUs) to intensify their crackdown on tricycles and pedicabs plying national roads.
Treñas said the ban, which is stipulated in Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, would likely affect the city’s economy.
“Kung tan-awon ta indi lang ang transportation sector ang apektado diri, pati man and aton nga ekonomiya,” he said.
According to the mayor there are areas in the city that are not served by public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
Among these areas, Treñas said, are Barangay Rizal in La Paz, Rizal Street in City Proper, and from SM City to Barangay Bakhaw in Mandurriao.
“Sa dira nga mga ruta tricycle lang gid ang nagaserbisyo sa aton commuters.”
Treñas said he would set a meeting with Jeck Conlu, head of city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) to talk about the implementation of the tricycle ban in the city.
Conlu earlier said some tricyles were given franchises by the city government for routes that were previously classified as local roads but were, in recent years, converted into national roads.
According to him, majority of around 5,000 tricycle units operating in the city are colorum or unregistered.
“Only 1,300 units renewed their motor tricycle operators permit (MTOP),” he noted.
From Jan. 1 to to Feb. 20 this year, the PSTMO apprehended 776 erring tricycles.
As per 2016 data, the city has 27 national roads, 151 local streets or city roads, and 107.976 road networks.IMT
Photo of Treñas by Arnold Almacen
