The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reminded local government units to strictly implement regulations prohibiting tricycles, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways.
“This is…issued to ensure the safety of tricycle drivers, passengers, and other road users,” DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said in Memorandum Circular No. 2023-195 issued last Dec. 6, 2023.
The circular noted that while such vehicles play a significant role in providing affordable and accessible modes of transportation for every Filipino especially in areas where larger vehicles may not be practical or available, continued reports of tricycles and pedicabs operating on national highways, as well as incidents of accidents involving these modes of transportation along national highways, remain a major concern of the government.
The DILG pointed out that for 2022 in Metro Manila alone, a total of 2,829 road accidents involving bikes/e-bikes/pedicabs and 2,241 road accidents involving tricycles were recorded.
Pursuant to Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the DOTC issued guidelines in 192 explicitly stating that no tricycle should operate on national highways utilized by four-wheel vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where normal speed exceeds 40 KPH.
“However, many LGUs have not been strictly implementing the said prohibition which resulted in traffic congestion and accidents,” the circular stated.
It urged all local chief executives to reorganize and reconvene its Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to draft and update its Tricycle Route Plan (TRP) containing a schematic map of tricycle routes, installation of traffic signages and lane markings, info dissemination plans, color schemes and penalties to be imposed on violators.
The mayors are to regularly coordinate with the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LTPRP) team to ensure the identification, inclusion and provision of alternative routes to those who will be affected by the prohibition.
The DILG also ordered the LGUs to set the minimum operating conditions necessary for the issuance of Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit or Pedicab Operator’s Permit to ensure the roadworthiness of said transportation.
“In cases where there are no alternative routes available and as a last resort, the respective Sanggunians of the LGU may consider issuing an exception and/or are highly encouraged to enact an ordinance providing a portion of the national highway (ideally the outermost lane) to be utilized as an alternative route, provided that strict enforcement of road safety and regulations is primarily observed,” the circular stressed.
It warned that non-compliance with the memorandum circular is tantamount to dereliction of duty and shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable and pertinent laws, ruled and regulations.