DILG says Tricycles and Pedicabs are now banned on national highways

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through its Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020 - 036 has announced that tricycles, pedicabs, and motorized pedicabs are now banned from traveling on national highways. The move to remove these vehicles is part of the department’s push to clear roads of obstructions. This was done in order to improve traffic flow around the already congested streets of Metro Manila.

"Tricycles and Pedicabs have been banned from traveling on national highways for a long time now but there are those who still do not follow the rules. Not only are they disruptions on the road, but they can also cause accidents. This is why mayors and the police have to be stricter with the enforcement of this ban." 

Año continues by saying that aside from being banned from traversing these roads, these vehicles are also not allowed to make a u-turn on national highways. He further adds by stating that local government units (LGUs) must review and modify tricycle routes according to the ban. This is done so that even with the route adjustments tricycles and other vehicles can still continue with their businesses. The LGUs are encouraged to include in their plans the construction of local roads or overpasses where these vehicles can operate. The MC also orders that the Philippine National Police help local leaders to enforce the ban.

The memorandum further urges cities and municipalities to create a task force for tricycles. This task force is separate from the tricycle regulatory boards. The goal in mind is to create and review current tricycle routes in the area and adapt it to the new ban. The task force will be composed of the Mayor as chairman, the chief of police as vice-chairman, and the Sanggunian committee chair on transportation or public safety, the president of the Liga ng Mga Barangay, the head of the tricycle regulator board, the head of the department of public order and safety, the planning and development officer, the head of the traffic management office, and the local government operations officer as members.