The City Council has passed the “relief ordinance” which will allow tricycle entry in some portions of national highways in Puerto Princesa.
City Ordinance No. 94-2020 was approved on the third and final reading Monday, allowing the entry of tricycles in some parts of the city’s national roads that have no alternative routes.
Councilor Elgin Damasco, former transportation committee chair and ordinance author sought to “temporarily designate” tricycle routes along the national highways in compliance with the order issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“This was marked urgent and hihintayin na lang na mapirmahan ni mayor [Lucilo] Bayron,” Damasco said, pointing out that it was verbally communicated with the local executive who was also keen on approving the city ordinance.
Dry-Run
The city ordinance will take effect after fifteen (15) days following its required publication.
The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and other law enforcement agencies will not impose penal sanctions during the 30-day dry-run.
The provision was subsequently added to the proposed ordinance after the City Council’s deliberation last week.
“Wala muna sanang strict implementation. Dapat information dissemination muna sa drivers na ‘o, bawal na yan sa susunod’,” Damasco said.
Tricycle routes and penalties
Tricycles will be allowed to traverse:
* Malvar Street
* Portions of Rizal Avenue starting from port area to Roxas Street vice versa
* Portions of Rizal Avenue from Lagan Road to Canigaran
* From Abanico Road to Crocodile Farm in Barangay Irawan
Tricycles traversing Abanico going to Barangay Irawan will be allowed along the national highway but only on the outer lanes, as there was no “alternate route”.
Three-wheeled vehicles may also be allowed to cross the following national highways:
* Sandoval street crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* Roxas Street crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* Burgos Street crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* Valencia Street crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* H. Mendoza crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* Lacao Street crossing J. Rizal Avenue
* From Malvar Road crossing San Pedro National Highway going to Wescom Road (vice versa)
* From Libis road crossing San Pedro National Highway going to Pineda road (vice versa)
* From Castro Road crossing San Pedro National Highway going to Lanzanas Road (vice versa)
* From Pagayona Road crossing Puerto Princesa City south national highway in Barangay San Jose going to New Public Market Road (vice versa)
* From Manga St. (Caabay Road) crossing Puerto Princesa City south national highway in Barangay San Jose going to Evangista Street or Dandal Road (vice versa)
A tricycle may traverse or pass through in all thoroughfares in the city, including national roads in case of emergency.
Any person found violating the ordinance will be penalized:
* 1st offense – P500
* 2nd offense – P1,500
* 3rd offense – P3,000.
* If a person still violates after his 3rd offense, he will be fined P5,000 with possible cancellation of the franchise.
Previously, the DILG issued three memorandum circulars (MC) ordering the implementation of the trike ban — MC No. 2007-01 dated January 2, 2007; MC No. 2011-68 dated May 19, 2011; and MC No. 2020-4.
