The inconsistent implementation of the tricycle ban has caused confusion among Katipunan residents of whether or not they could ride tricycles in Katipunan Avenue.
It has been 20 years since tricycles and pedicabs, under Ordinance number 6 Series of 1990, were banned from operating along the major highways of Metro Manila. Among these highways include the C-5 road which passes through Katipunan Avenue. The ordinance stated that the ban was because tricycles not only slow down the flow of traffic, it also "poses grave risks and danger to the lives and limbs of concerned drivers, passengers and pedestrians."
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But the said law under then Chairman Jejomar Binay has since been inconsistently implemented thus giving an impression that the ban was only temporary.
"The reason for that is that the teams we send do not monitor round the clock to avoid getting beaten up by some really persistent tricycle drivers. We [send] three patrol teams of eight but we only send them periodically for their safety," said Director for Traffic Operations Vergel de Dios.
He added that it is a law to begin with, so there is no other choice but to follow it.
"It’s really prohibited. A common excuse would be that it is their only means of livelihood. But have they ever considered the passengers that might have an accident. Cars in Katipunan run very fast because it is really dangerous for tricycle drivers and their passengers," Vergel said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The tricycle drivers however are persistent. They say that they are not disrupting traffic in Katipunan, their presence is even beneficial to Katipunan residents. They also claim to have franchise from the City Hall.
"Naghahanapbuhay nga kami ng legal, hindi nga kami nagnanakaw tapos pagbawalan pa ninyo kami, (We’re trying to earn money legally, we don’t steal and yet you still prohibit us.)" said 53-year old Dionisio Mijares.
Mr. Mijares has been driving a tricycle for 10 years to sustain his family of eight. The ban has affected his livelihood.
"Dati kumikita ako ng 500 isang araw. Ngayon dahil mejo mas nag-iingat na ako at dahil minsan natitiketan, mga 200 na lang kinikita ko, (I used to earn 500 a day. But ever since the ban, I try to be careful and sometimes I am issued a ticket so I only earn about 200 nowadays.)" he said.
As the conflict ensues, Katipunan residents also get affected.
"Minsan yung pabalik-balik na ban mahirap kasi magmamadali ako papuntang school tapos lalo na kapag umuulan, tapos malalaman mo na lang biglang bawal nanaman ang tricycle (Sometimes the inconsistent banning is difficult because for instance, when I'm in a hurry and it’s raining, I find out that tricycles are banned again.)," said Tonee Bayhon II – AB MEco, a resident of Burgundy Plaza.
Sir Jem, I agree with you with most of what you have written down. However, people often fail to take a look at the peripheral problems of the Tricycle Ban at Katipunan. There is also the irregular placement of tricycle terminals in almost every street of loyola heights to accomodate almost a thousand tricycle units. The worst reported was the main terminal at Esteban Abada Street cor. Katipunan Ave. In the permit it says that only around 75 units are allowed. But if you make an ocular inspection, there are almost 300 tricycles lined up. They even extend to Xavierville Avenue which under another QC ordinance, prohibits tricycles from using major thoroughfares as tricycle terminals. Nagalit na nga po ang mga residente dito at nag petition na ilipiat ang terminal dahil magulo, bastos, halang ang bituka, madaming nakawan kahit na nandyan lang daw sa labas nila mga tricycle. Kapag may nanakawan, wala pa rin sa kanila naka kita.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my point is, if the tricycle terminals are also properly regulated, there will be less tricycles on Katipunan Avenue. If you remove the tricycle terminals, malamang you will have NO tricycles on Katipunan. Just like everyone else trying to cope with the color coding, where you will find yourself commuting kapag color coding ang one and only car mo. Students and residents will have to learn to find ways to get to the other side of Katipunan. Maybe take a Taxi to the gate and then take the trike within the Ateneo Campus. Meron po kasi alloted tricycles inside at meron na din mga environmentally friendly e-trike. Eh ano magagawa natin eh batas na yung MMDA Ordinance No. 6 tulad ng color coding.
By the way, yung sabi po ng isang tricycle driver na they are trying to make an honest living, paki remind po sa kanya na madaming nakawan at holdapan dito sa Loyola Heights that involves tricycle drivers. Students/ Commuters getting held up by the back riders of tricycle drivers. Kasabwat din po nila yan. Another question that needs to be asked is bakit malayang mag hasik ng lagim ang mga ito sa mga subdivision at mga residential houses na kalapit ng mga tricycle terminal. Maybe it's time you asked the Barangay.... I like your article Sir Jem. More power to you.