Uy: Tri-cab ban should be explained to owners

IN enforcing the ban on bao-bao (motorized tri-cab) units on the national highway, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy called on the joint task force to explain the rationale behind City Hall’s enforcement of the government directive.

‘If we are to impose the law, we ask those that will be affected to understand the rationale behind the law and why we are enforcing it. I’m (reluctant to use force) because it will only antagonize those affected and I understand their plight,’ Mayor Uy said in Visayan during his Friday program ‘Ang Inyong Alagad: Mayor Klarex Uy.’

Mayor Klarex referred to last Thursday’s operation by a joint task force that apprehended and impounded bao-bao units, tricycles and other vehicles barred from passing through the national highways that were specified under DILG Memorandum 2020-036. Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) chief Engr. Nonito Oclarit said only a few who were uninformed about the ban were caught during the operation.

The campaign also involved the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Police Regional Mobile Group, the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) and other City Hall departments. Oclarit said checkpoints were set up from Barangays Bugo to Lapasan for the joint operation.

“As part of our efforts to enforce a DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) memorandum—and I see this circular as good since it’s purpose is to ensure public safety—while I do understand their need to have their own means of transport, public welfare and safety should always be prioritized,” Mayor Uy said in Visayan.

Uy also said the LTFRB didn’t issue any franchise to bao-bao operators allowing the commercial use of their units as public utility vehicles (PUVs).

“(I find it difficult to accept that) if something happens to one of their passengers along the national highway, then City Hall will be blamed for it. We only received the order from the national government and we are duty bound to implement it,” Uy said.

In last month’s live streamed press briefing hosted by the City Information Office, Oclarit said the ban was enforced for public safety because bao-bao units, motorelas and other tri-wheel vehicles cannot keep up with other vehicles that can speed up to over 40 kilometers per hour. (Stephen Capillas with a report by Annabelle Ricalde of City Information Office)