An ordinance allowing all public and private tricycles to traverse the national highway within the city proper was approved on its second reading at the City Council.
City Councilor Peter Maristela, the Transportation Committee Chair during the regular session Monday stated the necessity of this policy considering the present situation in Puerto Princesa brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since the public transport are only allowed to accommodate one passenger per trip, the reduced capacity up to 50 percent in public vehicles such as multicabs, jeepneys, and buses, and tricycles during this time of pandemic had resulted to the insufficiency of public transportation in the city,” said Maristela.
City Councilor Maristela stated this measure temporarily suspends the City Ordinance No. 1043.
Maristela noted that the ordinance will allow all public and private tricycles to pass along national highway within the city proper of Puerto Princesa until February 28, 2021 or when the social distancing policies were already lifted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), unless shortened or extended by the plenary.
Maristela said “February 28” was the chosen date because it is the last day for the annual processing and payment of the supervision fee for tricycle franchise holders.
“The said period will give the tricycle drivers and operators some ample time to recover their earnings and repair for the implementation of City Ordinance No. 1043,” said Maristela.
Maristela said provided in guidelines under the ordinance, tricycles must occupy only the outer lane or the rightmost side of the highway in accordance to City Ordinance No. 838.
He added the tricycles must not exceed the speed limit provided under the City Ordinance No. 822 as amended by City Ordinance No. 962.
“Tricycle drivers and operators are also required to follow existing social distancing policy and wearing of face mask,” said Maristela.
The measure was calendared for its third and final reading on the next regular session.