Kalibo trike drivers, operators appeal on ‘highway ban’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Tricycle drivers and operators asked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to lift the ‘highway ban’ for tricycles in Kalibo, Aklan.

photo LTO 6

The 3,300-strong Federation of Kalibo Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. (FOKTODAI) made the appeal to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on November 26.

The appeal was signed by the presidents of tricycle drivers and operators groups of Old Buswang, New Buswang, Kalibo Poblacion, Tigayon, Pook, Caano, Briones, Linabuan Norte, Andagao, Bakhaw Norte, Bakhaw Sur, Mobo, Tinigaw, Andagao Talipapa, Nalook and Estancia. 

Tricycles are banned in national highways utilized by 4-wheel trucks greater than 4 tons and where normal speed exceed 40 kilometer per hour, the DILG Memorandum Circulars No. 2011-68 and 2007-07 stressed.  

Tricycles are popular means of transportation in the capital town of Kalibo and its 16 barangays. For years, tricycle drivers are being allowed to operate along and across Roxas Avenue-Mabini Street-Osmena Avenue national highway.  

These tricycles, however, pose hazards to their passengers and are contributing to rising number of fatal incidents in national highways. 

“Hayaan muna nating gamitin ng mga tricycle drivers ang national highway mula tulay ng Kalibo hanggang Mabini Street at Banga habang wala pa tayong alternatibong daan sa Kalibo. Maapektuhan din ang pamilya namin at mga pasahero pag hindi na maaaring makagamit ng national highway ang mga tricycle drivers,” FOKTODAI president Johnny Damian said.

Damian admitted that some tricycle drivers continue to use the fast lane instead of the right lane for slow-moving vehicles. 

“Kailangang may disiplina ang mga tricycle drivers na gamitin ang right lane ng highway para maiwasan ang aksidente,” he stressed.