Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Pasay City gives tricycles and pedicabs permission to operate under MECQ, following strict guidelines
Philippines
Pasay City gives tricycles and pedicabs permission to operate under MECQ, following strict guidelines
Pasay City gives tricycles and pedicabs permission to operate under MECQ, following strict guidelines
Published May 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Dhel Nazario
Tricycles and pedicabs have been allowed to operate in Pasay City provided that they comply with protocols under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) “We understand the plight of drivers and operators of tricycles and pedicabs affected by the crisis. Also heavily affected by the suspension of public transport are those who have difficulty in mobility such as the PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women and lactating mothers who, from time to time, need to go to a hospital or to their doctor or buy essentials, and the general public who have to walk a distance to buy food and basic needs of the family. At the same time, we must continue with our efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus,” said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, on May 18, Monday. “We need to strike a balance among these concerns. Thus, after thorough study and discussions with the concerned sectors, we decided to allow the operations of tricycles and pedicabs, but with some limitations, and they must comply with the health protocols,” she added. The protocols are laid out in the detailed guidelines prepared by the Pasay Tricycle-Pedicab Franchising and Regulatory Office (TPFRO). The guidelines mandate the wearing of face masks (for both drivers and passengers); provision of alcohol in the vehicles; use of plastic shield between the driver and the passenger; wearing of gloves by the drivers; and regular disinfecting of the vehicles, among others. The vehicles, which must belong to any of the different TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) and PODA (for pedicabs) in the city, will also be “color-coded,” designating specific days for the operation of either “green-marked” units or the “pink-marked” ones, to give equal opportunities for all to operate while at the same time limit the number of vehicles plying the streets per day. Only one passenger will be allowed per trip. The fare is pegged at P30 for tricycles and P20 for pedicabs, both of which may increase subject to negotiations between the driver and the passenger for longer-distance trips. TPFRO Chief Ace Sevilla warned that tricycles and pedicabs that are “colorum” or which do not have a franchise and “body markings” will not be allowed. He likewise reminded that pedicabs are not allowed to ply main roads. He also clarified that electronic vehicles (e-trikes and e-bikes) with side cars are not allowed to operate as passenger vehicles. Sevilla further warned that those who will be found violating the guidelines face appropriate penalties and their units will be impounded for three to four weeks.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) “We understand the plight of drivers and operators of tricycles and pedicabs affected by the crisis. Also heavily affected by the suspension of public transport are those who have difficulty in mobility such as the PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women and lactating mothers who, from time to time, need to go to a hospital or to their doctor or buy essentials, and the general public who have to walk a distance to buy food and basic needs of the family. At the same time, we must continue with our efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus,” said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, on May 18, Monday. “We need to strike a balance among these concerns. Thus, after thorough study and discussions with the concerned sectors, we decided to allow the operations of tricycles and pedicabs, but with some limitations, and they must comply with the health protocols,” she added. The protocols are laid out in the detailed guidelines prepared by the Pasay Tricycle-Pedicab Franchising and Regulatory Office (TPFRO). The guidelines mandate the wearing of face masks (for both drivers and passengers); provision of alcohol in the vehicles; use of plastic shield between the driver and the passenger; wearing of gloves by the drivers; and regular disinfecting of the vehicles, among others. The vehicles, which must belong to any of the different TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) and PODA (for pedicabs) in the city, will also be “color-coded,” designating specific days for the operation of either “green-marked” units or the “pink-marked” ones, to give equal opportunities for all to operate while at the same time limit the number of vehicles plying the streets per day. Only one passenger will be allowed per trip. The fare is pegged at P30 for tricycles and P20 for pedicabs, both of which may increase subject to negotiations between the driver and the passenger for longer-distance trips. TPFRO Chief Ace Sevilla warned that tricycles and pedicabs that are “colorum” or which do not have a franchise and “body markings” will not be allowed. He likewise reminded that pedicabs are not allowed to ply main roads. He also clarified that electronic vehicles (e-trikes and e-bikes) with side cars are not allowed to operate as passenger vehicles. Sevilla further warned that those who will be found violating the guidelines face appropriate penalties and their units will be impounded for three to four weeks.