Castelo vows to hold more public hearings on tricycle ban
Published Jul 15, 2018 06:12 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
As tricycle ban is only lifted on the Katipunan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City, the chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development vowed yesterday to hold more public hearings on the continued implementation of tricycle bans in some major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo (photo from newsbytes.ph)
"Regarding that matter, we will continue to conduct hearings on the issue inviting all stakeholders," Quezon City Rep. Winston "Winnie" Castelo said in an interview.
During the hearing of the Castelo panel on July 4, it was agreed that the ban is lifted and tricycles can traverse Katipunan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City provided that they use the side-most part of Katipunan Avenue.
When asked until when the tricycle units plying the Katipunan Avenue route will be exempt from the tricycle ban, he said: "It will hold until necessary because there is no alternate route to service the commuters. Provided also that tricycles occupy only the innermost lane near the curb on a single file only."
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) maintained that the tricycle ban remains in effect on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, Recto Avenue, Pres. Quirino Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Taft Avenue, SLEX, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay/Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del Pan, McArthur Highway, and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
The MMDA issued Resolution 16-08 Series of 2016 declaring a total ban on tricycles, pedicabs, "kuligligs" and pushcarts on all circumferential and radial roads in Metro Manila.
"A proliferation of tricycles, pedicabs, "kuligligs" and pushcarts has been observed by the MMDA in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila which poses a risk to the lives and limbs of its own drivers/owners and passengers, and likewise significantly contributes to traffic congestion, " it said.
Under the resolution, the MMDA cited the need for the Metro Manila Council to declare such ban.
During the panel hearing on July 4, Castelo cited the need for concerned government agencies to come up with a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to "address the confusion" and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association's traffic apprehension of their members, more specifically those plying the Katipunan Road, Diliman, Quezon City.
In its interim report, Castelo panel asked the concerned government agencies to form a technical working group to "propose interim solutions and strategic actions to solve traffic problems. "
The panel urged all government agencies in the traffic enforcement in the National Capital Region (NCR) to hold a summit, together with TODAs, to determine what courses of action will be appropriate and legal.
It also asked the MMDA to promote and host the planned summit.
The Castelo panel also called on various TODAs to participate in the summit, "by identifying the various traffic issues encountered by their members and to be proactive in their discipline and organization of their members."
In its interim report, the committee also asked the MMDA "to allow one-month proof of concept period to determine if the rightmost lane of Katipunan can be used as tricycle lanes. "
It was noted that during the hearing, national government agencies expressed their willingness to hold public hearings and consultative meetings to harmonize the interests of the parties and uphold the common good.
Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo (photo from newsbytes.ph)
"Regarding that matter, we will continue to conduct hearings on the issue inviting all stakeholders," Quezon City Rep. Winston "Winnie" Castelo said in an interview.
During the hearing of the Castelo panel on July 4, it was agreed that the ban is lifted and tricycles can traverse Katipunan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City provided that they use the side-most part of Katipunan Avenue.
When asked until when the tricycle units plying the Katipunan Avenue route will be exempt from the tricycle ban, he said: "It will hold until necessary because there is no alternate route to service the commuters. Provided also that tricycles occupy only the innermost lane near the curb on a single file only."
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) maintained that the tricycle ban remains in effect on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, Recto Avenue, Pres. Quirino Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Taft Avenue, SLEX, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay/Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del Pan, McArthur Highway, and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
The MMDA issued Resolution 16-08 Series of 2016 declaring a total ban on tricycles, pedicabs, "kuligligs" and pushcarts on all circumferential and radial roads in Metro Manila.
"A proliferation of tricycles, pedicabs, "kuligligs" and pushcarts has been observed by the MMDA in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila which poses a risk to the lives and limbs of its own drivers/owners and passengers, and likewise significantly contributes to traffic congestion, " it said.
Under the resolution, the MMDA cited the need for the Metro Manila Council to declare such ban.
During the panel hearing on July 4, Castelo cited the need for concerned government agencies to come up with a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to "address the confusion" and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association's traffic apprehension of their members, more specifically those plying the Katipunan Road, Diliman, Quezon City.
In its interim report, Castelo panel asked the concerned government agencies to form a technical working group to "propose interim solutions and strategic actions to solve traffic problems. "
The panel urged all government agencies in the traffic enforcement in the National Capital Region (NCR) to hold a summit, together with TODAs, to determine what courses of action will be appropriate and legal.
It also asked the MMDA to promote and host the planned summit.
The Castelo panel also called on various TODAs to participate in the summit, "by identifying the various traffic issues encountered by their members and to be proactive in their discipline and organization of their members."
In its interim report, the committee also asked the MMDA "to allow one-month proof of concept period to determine if the rightmost lane of Katipunan can be used as tricycle lanes. "
It was noted that during the hearing, national government agencies expressed their willingness to hold public hearings and consultative meetings to harmonize the interests of the parties and uphold the common good.