Tricycles will be allowed to use streets near the Capitol again after the City Council approved an ordinance restoring limited access that had long been restricted.
Draft Ordinance No. 31-2025 authored by Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela has passed third and final reading at the City Council on Monday.
The measure amends City Ordinance No. 1043 and allows tricycles to cross from Baltan Street (now P. Vicente Street) to Fernandez Street and from Fernandez Street to Lagan Street during specific hours.
These routes had been closed to tricycles, including the area in front of the Capitol.
Maristela said the ordinance took time to pass because it went through a series of public consultations under the Committee on Transportation.
He said he is thankful the Council has approved the measure and hopes it will soon take effect.
The vice mayor said tricycles will still not be allowed to pass during peak traffic hours.
“May oras lamang at hindi sila pwede from 6 to 9 ng umaga at 4 to 6 ng hapon kung hindi tayo nagkakamali. Aprubado na ‘yan sa 3rd and final reading and hopefully, payagan ito ng ating punong lungsod, mapirmahan niya ito, at kapag napirmahan na niya ito at nai-publish ito, pwede na mag-cross doon,” he added.
Maristela said he does not see problems in implementing the ordinance since the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) was consulted during the process.
“Kinuha rin namin ‘yung stand ng City Traffic at ang sabi nila ay huwag lamang sa mga oras na ma-traffic sila payagan. ‘Yun ang paki-usap ng City Traffic at kinosidera naman ng Committee on Transportation kaya ‘yun narin ang inaprubahan ng Sangguniang Panlungsod,” he said.
He said restoring access will help tricycle drivers save on fuel and make trips shorter for passengers.
Maristella added also that commuters will no longer need to take longer routes through Lacao Street and Manalo Street, which became common because of rules banning tricycles from using national highways.
The ordinance will take effect once signed by Mayor Lucilo Bayron and published.
