This Memorandum Might Just Allow Tricycles to Ply Through National Roads

Love them or hate them? Whatever the case, there's already a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that would basically allow tricycles to pass through national roads as long as there are "no roads in the area" that these tricycles can use. They are also mandated to maintain "a single file in the innermost lane of the road" and not overtake other vehicles.

Submitted by the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, this memorandum is a collaboration between Quezon City (Q.C.) Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

This MOA also indicates the number of passengers allowed in tricycles. For Quezon City tricycles, four are allowed inside a tricycle. However, five are allowed in Parañaque due to the more spacious seating arrangement of their tricycles.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District of Quezon City), who heads the Metro Manila Development Committee, expressed dissatisfaction over the number of passengers that some of them could only accommodate.

"Pare-pareho naman ang itsura ng mga tricycle. Bakit ‘yong Parañaque pwedeng lima? ‘Yong Las Piñas at Pasay apat yata. Bakit ‘yong Quezon City tatlo lang? That is unfair. Hindi nila na-mamaximize ang byahe nila. Kakaunti ang byahe, apektado ang kita. Sa hirap ng buhay, i-maximize na natin para mabigyan natin ng tulong ang TODA (All tricycles look the same. How come the ones in Parañaque can accommodate five? The ones in Las Piñas and Pasay supposedly can seat four. How come the ones in Quezon City can only accommodate three? That is unfair. They can't maximize their trips. With only few fares, their income will be affected. Let's maximize them so that we can help the TODA)," he explained.

Tricycles have been around Philippine roads for a long time, and are often seen everywhere--especially in subdivisions and rural areas. According to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) member Atty. Aileen Lizada, they "are not comparable to other light vehicles, such as motorcycles and bicycles", because not only can they transport more people, but their compact size allows them to maneuver small, tight spaces better compared to other vehicles.

Now, let's wait and see if this MOA will be approved--or not.