Calizo cmte looks into concerns of trisikad operators, drivers

THE City Council committee on roads and traffic management chaired by Councilor Romeo V. Calizo yesterday discussed the request of commuters, drivers, and operators of motorized trisikad in Barangays Bugo, Agusan, Tablon and Cugman that they be allowed to pass the national highway.

“Dili lalim ang among nasinati kung panahon mangdakop ang mga sakop sa RTA kay lisod kaayo maglukdo sa among mga pinalit sa merkado usahay naay bugas ug uban pa unya mobaklay kami sa moabot usa ka kilometro,” the group cited.

During the meeting, RTA representatives reiterated that the law prohibits slow-moving vehicles such as trisikad, motorized tricycles, tri-cab and even motorelas from traversing the national highway.

“Bisan tuod nakasabot mi sa sitwasyon sa mga sumasakay diha pero wala man tay mahimo tungod kay balaod man ni siya nga angay i-implementar. Amo na gisulti nga basin naay amendment, kana beyond na sa among authority ug scope sa among trabaho

but kung unsa lang available nga balaod ang ato gyud magamit, ug mao kana nga balaod ang gisubay pud sa LTO,” Engr. Nonito A. Oclarit explained.

The problem was recently addressed with the issuance of Executive Order No. 094-2021, establishing a special route in the national highway from Bugo to Tablon and vice versa for these vehicles.

Oclarit said two transport groups were already given special permits by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). There are now 14 units plying the Bugo-Tablon and vice versa route, he cited.

“Kani nga special order gikan sa atong city mayor nagahatag kani og 24-oras nga pagbiyahe para lang gyud maserbisyuhan ang mga sumasakay ug kani nga special order naimplementar kani niadtong niaging semana, bag-o lang. Nagpadayon kani nga balaod ug ginaobserbahan pa kini kung unsay epekto, gani nagapadayon pa ang information campaign niini,” Oclarit further reported.

It was learned the special route, which took effect two weeks ago, will end with the implementation of the approved Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).

As this developed, the committee adopted a Resolution requesting City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno to constitute the Tricycle Task Force that will formulate the Tricycle Route Plan for areas in the City without alternate route other than the national highway, as

mandated under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-036.

The Committee also deliberated during the meeting the request of the Bugo Motorized Trisikad Operators and Drivers Association (BUMOTODA) for the release of the 27 units motorized sikad of its members impounded by the RTA for various traffic violations

subject to payment of pertinent fees.

The same group also requested for a moratorium in the implementation of pertinent traffic laws so that they can be allowed to traverse the Butuan-Iligan Highway to ferry passengers to Bugo Market during designated hours.

With these and other relevant matters and suggestions noted during the meeting, the RTA was tasked to conduct a productive dialogue with concerned transport groups/sectors.