The City Council’s Committee on Transportation has started discussing the request of tricycle drivers and operators in Puerto Princesa City to allow them to pass through Baltan Street up to Fernandez Street, and from Fernandez Street near the Provincial Capitol up to Lagan Street.
The discussion followed the proposed amendment filed by Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela to City Ordinance No. 1043, or “An Ordinance Temporarily Designating Portions of National Road Where Tricycles, Pedicabs, and Motorized Pedicabs may be Allowed to Pass.”
The amendment aligns with a memorandum from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation.
In his proposal, Maristela said the city had already amended the ordinance before to add more access roads crossing the national highway.
He wants to further include the route from Baltan to Fernandez Street and from Fernandez to Lagan Street, as requested by tricycle drivers during a recent public consultation.
Drivers explained that their current routes are limited, forcing them to take longer detours. This, they said, increases fuel consumption and causes them to charge higher fares.
Maristela said the committee members responded positively to his proposal but noted that further discussion is needed.
“Yun ang ipinasa nating panukalang ordinansa na magkaroon ng pag-amyenda sa ating Ordinance No. 1043 at naging positive naman ang mga member ng Committee on Transportation sa pangunguna ni Konsehal Jie Lao, nandun din si Konsehal Marcaida at si Konsehal Abad,” Vice Mayor Maristela told Palawan News.
“Ito ay i-schedule pa for next committee meeting sapagkat wala doon ang representative mula dito sa City Traffic at kinakailangan din ang kanilang presensya doon para marinig din ang kanilang panig,” he added.
He clarified that this proposal is separate from the earlier petition of tricycle drivers to allow them to pass through Rizal Avenue again. Maristela said the issue of reopening Rizal Avenue to tricycles remains unresolved.
Maristela added that while discussions on Rizal Avenue continue, he decided to prioritize the shorter route requested by the drivers.
“Ang sabi, mukhang mahaba pang usapin ‘yun sapagkat marami pang kino-consider na mga bagay-bagay na padaanin ‘yung ating mga tricycle sa kahabaan ng Rizal Avenue,” he said.
“Sabi ko, unahin muna natin itong maigsi na talagang kailangang-kailangan na nila ngayon lalo na ng ating mga mananakay,” he said.
