Tricycles operating in Tuba, Benguet have been allowed to pass through city roads so drivers can bring their units for inspection and registration at the provincial Land Transportation Office in La Trinidad.
To reach the LTO at Wangal, La Trinidad, tricycle drivers serving passengers in Nangalisan and Tadiangan have to pass through roads within Baguio. However, in 2012, the city council passed Ordinance 28 banning tricycles along city roads.
In the session of the city council Nov. 9, Traffic Management Bureau chief, Lt/Col. Oliver Panabang, said the only way for tricycles to reach Wangal is to enter Baguio, which is why they are asking the city council to exempt them from the coverage of the ordinance.
Some councilors suggested for the LTO to explore online registration but according to the agency’s lawyer, Greg Retuta, online transaction is for appointments only. The LTO still requires inspection of the unit.
Retuta said the LTO will explore the possibility of setting up a satellite office in Tuba to cater to tricycle drivers.
The exemption will cover the duration of registration only. Drivers are prohibited from ferrying passengers.
Councilor Philian Allan, author of the ordinance, has voted against the exemption and suggested for the tricycle drivers to register in La Union instead.
In Ordinance 28, penalties for people driving tricycles within Baguio are P500 fine and warning from implementing offices as determined by the court on first offense; P1,000 fine and impounding of tricycle or imprisonment of 30 days at the discretion of the court on second offense; and P3,000 fine or imprisonment of 60 days or both at the discretion of the court on third offense. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
