Tricycles, e-trikes, and pedicabs will be allowed to ply the streets of Manila during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 4 to 18, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso declared Tuesday morning.
Domagoso, who was a pedicab driver before joining showbiz and politics, said if he did not allow the three-wheeled vehicles to operate in the city for two weeks, thousands of displaced drivers will starve.
He said this is done to help the employees in Manila, especially frontline health workers, to have easy access to transportation, as other modes of public transport are suspended under MECQ.
Per IATF guidelines, the operation of tricycles are subject to the rules of the local government unit and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
"Aking pinapayagan ang lahat ng pedicab, e-trike at tricycle na mapaghanapbuhay sa panahon ng MECQ (I am allowing all pedicabs, e-trikes, and tricycles to make a living in the time of MECQ)," Domagoso said in a speech before the city's coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) safety marshalls.
"Maghanap buhay kayo sa tatlong gulong. Mayroon lang akong pakikisuyo: tupdin natin ang panawagan ng IATF (Make a living on the three wheels. I only have one request: observe the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force)," he added.
The Manila mayor said only one passenger per vehicle will be allowed. Both the driver and passenger must wear face masks in compliance to the city ordinance.