Determining The Possible Effect of DILG Memorandum Circular 2007-001 (Prohibition of Tricycle Along The National Highways) in Cabanatuan City As A Business Hub

Volume 5, Issue 12, December – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Determining the Possible Effect of DILG

Memorandum Circular 2007-001 (Prohibition of
Tricycle along the National Highways) in Cabanatuan
City as a Business Hub
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Renato L. Virola
Abstract:- Just like in many of Southeast Asian An effective transport system can therefore increase
countries, Tricycles in the Philippines are undeniably the commercial and labor market efficiency of a city, and
one of the most popular modes of public transportation. help provide an attractive platform for investors, and thereby
Apart from its accessibility, the uniqueness of its design grow the economy and create jobs. Hence, mobility is
allows them to transport passengers at almost any point. critical for people to access jobs.
Hence, tricycles are being patronized not only in most
parts of the countryside but also in some parts of Metro Being the “TRICYCLE CAPITAL OF THE
Manila.This study underlines the importance of PHILIPPINES”, with 25,000 tricycles plying on every
addressing the social impacts of the directive on streets of the city, Tricycle is in reality the main mode of
tricycleban plying on National Highways. In the case of public transportation in Cabanatuan. If in Metro Manila, the
Cabanatuan City, tagged as the “TRICYCLE CAPITAL iconic Jeepney is fondly called as the “King of the Road”; in
OF THE PHILIPPINES”, the banning of tricycles on Cabanatuan, they have their “Heroes of the Street”. For
highways shall greatly affect the bustling economy of the decades up to this modern day, tricycles continue
city.Tricycle operation is one of the major provider of dominating the streets which is an indication of their vital
livelihood to tens of thousands of Cabanatueños, thus the role in the continuing progress of the City of Cabanatuan.
directive from the DILG on tricycle ban is a major
concern for many.This study adopted both survey and Amidst the huge operation of tricycles in most parts of
descriptive research designs. Quantitative data were the country, the Department of Interior and Local
presented and analysed to gain better perspective of the Government has repeatedly urged all LGUs to enforce the
actual predicament facing the most basic and relevant nationwide ban of tricycles in the national highways. As
means of public transportation in Cabanatuan City. The stipulated in the DILG Memorandum Circular 2007-001,
study findings revealed that the local public transport “For safety reasons, no tricycle or pedicab should operate on
route plans and policies that the city is devising aim to national highways utilized by four-wheel vehicles greater
provide a more efficient and effective public transport than four tons and where normal speed exceeds 40
system in Cabanatuan.An important additional issue kilometers per hour.” However, these tricycles and pedicabs
that was identified is the fact that Single Motorcycles are may be allowed to traverse on National Highways if only
allowed to traverse on main highways yet they also pose there is no other alternative route.
hazards to other motor vehicles and are often caught in
fatal road mishaps; henceforth, recommends the Transport system challenges can be economic,
government to take a look at the case and make valuable environmental or social in character but the bottomline is
study if the same shall be banned too. providing an efficient transport system in a city to enable the
smooth mobility of people and goods does not come at no
I. INTRODUCTION cost. Cities today are faced with many problems, many of
which are arising from the transport system itself. Despite
Public Transport sits at the heart of modern business cities having different characteristics and individualities,
and society. It is universally accepted that transport has however, it has been found that they share common
played a predominant role in the economic development of problems and objectives. However, each city at the moment
all modern civilizations. Production and consumption on tends to be autonomous and act in response to its own
the scale and tempo of today would be inconceivable political pressures, making it very difficult to build an
without a well-developed and operated transport system overall picture of how transport policies are being used to
forming a vital link in supply chain management logistics. provide solutions and how effective these are.
The provision of safe, effective, efficient and affordable
transport is the cornerstone of sustainable economic and Focusing on road transport, the purpose of this report
social development. is to identify the main transport problems confronting
Cabanatuan City where a huge number of tricycles are at
IJISRT20DEC025 www.ijisrt.com 73
ISSN No:-2456-2165
stake, and thus create the basis for the formulation of local If it is really the safety that is the primary concern of
public transport route plan that will safeguard the livelihood the government for not allowing the tricycles to traverse our
of tricycle operators and drivers. National Highways, will a change in the overall tricycle
structure may be done for them to be given a certificate of
II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM public conveyance.
III. METHODOLOGY
Nowadays, Tricycle like the popular Sarao Jeepney are
the iconic transportation modes that symbolize the ingenuity A survey was conducted to collect data on the actual
of the Filipino people. Jeepneys and Tricycles serve as the Passenger’s Count per Barangay and actual Vehicle Volume
backbone of the Philippine Public Transportation System, Count on strategic areas of the Maharlika Highway, a major
providing cheap and easily accessible transportation services traffic exchange in Cabanatuan. Table 3.1 and 3.2 shown
to the masses. below are the forms that were used in conducting the
surveys.
The heavy reliance on Tricycles in Cabanatuan,
however, do come at a cost. The three-wheeled vehicle is The data collected from the survey conducted on two
seen unsafe and poses hazards to other motor vehicles on the areas of the main National Highway would give us the
road; these are the same reasons why the government is actual volume of vehicles traversing the highway and how
strictly implementing the “Memorandum Circular 2007- much of that total number of road users are tricycles.
001” of the DILG.
It is also important to quantify, at the very least, how
In line with the DILG directive on tricycle ban, the many Cabanatueños rely on tricycles going to and from their
primary question that comes to our mind, is it really possible destination, on a regular basis. This survey will show the
for the government to do so? If so, does that mean following domino effect of the DILG’s directive on tricycle ban on
the said memorandum circular is the implementation of National Highways.
intra–zonal route for “For Hire Tricycles” in their respective
area of operation. Again, the same poses threat not only to By way of carefully analysing the data gathered and
the Tricycles Operators but directly affecting the riding conducting an in-depth research on the operation of
public. tricycles, this paper will give us a better perspective of how
serious the problem of Tricycle Operators and Drivers are
facing and how the local government shall respond.
Table 3.1
Classified Traffic Volume Count Survey
LOCATION: MAHARLIKA ROAD in front of SM City Cabanatuan
TIME TRICYCLE PUJ/PUV PRIVATE VEHICLE TOTAL
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 3.2
Passenger Count Survey
Barangay ___________________________________
Household School Trips Work Trips Total Passenger Demand
IV. THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL This was exactly what the present government is

FRAMEWORK strictly implementing right now, nationwide. Unfortunately,
the succeeding administrations after the Marcos regime just
Apparently, most of us do not know that as early as shelved it. Perhaps, no one anticipated that tricycles will
1985, tricycle operation was already legalized. A few soon be one of the most commonly used modes of public
months before the historic People Power Revolution, former transportation in the Philippines. If and only the previous
President Ferdinand Marcos released Letter of Instruction leaders of the country have seen the value of Marcos order
No. 1482, which recognized “that the tricycle plays an during their times, tricycle operation would have been better
important role, in the existing public transportation regulated by this day.
hierarchy in municipalities, where it is, in most cases, the
primary means of transportation.” Yet, no one knows that in According to reports from private organizations,
the same Letter of Instruction No. 1482, there was already a tricycles have already outnumbered the combined total of
provision stipulated under Section 10, to wit; for-hire cars, utility vehicles, buses, trucks, and trailers. As
of 2018, about 4.5 million registered for-hire tricycles and
“Generally, tricycles are authorized to operate on any motorcycles operating in the Philippines as against to 1.5
road within the municipality. However, they are prohibited million Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), accounting for
to operate along the national highway or on any road which nearly 67.9% of the total for-hire vehicle population.
allows a maximum speed greater than 40 KPH, especially
on well-paved, high speed roads, unless special Right in the heart of the Province of Nueva Ecija,
tricycles/bicycles lanes on the shoulder are provided, except approximately 117 kilometers North of Metro Manila
to cross”. situated is the city popularly known as the “TRICYCLE
“In the case of cities or densely populated centers, CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES” – CABANATUAN. An
they may travel within the city or municipality subject, to the information shared by the Office of the Legalization
conditions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph. Division of LGU Cabanatuan, a total of 22,500 “For-Hire”
However, the Sangguniang Panlungsod may limit and fix the and 5,000 “Private Use Only” registered tricycles are
routes by adopting a scheme of boundaries as they may registered in their office and, about 5,000 more colorums are
heretofore impose”. operating as well.
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Today, Cabanatuan City is most developed city in V. FINDINGS
Nueva Ecija, the center of commerce, trade, education,
industry. Cabanatuan boasts of modern business leisure, The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Cabanatuan has just
shopping, medical and transportation facilities. Its business- passed City Ordinance No. 001-2019 otherwise known as
friendly atmosphere, relative peace, culture of “The Traffic Code of the City of Cabanatuan” and a
professionalism and craftsmanship of the people, have Technical Working Group is on its final stage of completing
drawn investors to locate their business operations. the Local Public Transport Route Plan for submission to
LTFRB. Both efforts of the City Government are towards
The regulation of tricycles and other variants of having an efficient, innovative, coordinated and safe, Public
motorcycle-propelled vehicles were initially under national Transportation & Traffic Management System that is
agency particularly LTFRB prior to the implementation of consonant to the continuously changing & progressing
the 1991 Local Government Code. The powers of LTFRB Cabanatuan.
over tricycles technically ceased last 30 June 1992. A month
after, the DOTC issued “Guidelines to Implement the Apart from being the primary mode of public
Devolution of LTFRB's Franchising Authority over transportation, tricycles are also considered as major
Tricycles-for-hire to Local Government Units Pursuant to contributor to the traffic congestion in Cabanatuan. Table
the Local Government Code” (RA 7160). 1.1 & 1.2 are showing the number of tricycles traversing the
Maharlika Road at different time of the day. About 50% of
It was in the Year 1992 when the operation of tricycles the total number of vehicles, using the highway are tricycles,
in the city was legalized through a City Ordinance, yet quite huge enough to add to the problem of traffic
tricycles are already the primary mode of public transport in congestion in Cabanatuan City.
Cabanatuan as early as 1980. Through the years, tricycles
have been the source of livelihood of many Cabanatueños.
Table 1.1
CLASSIFIED TRAFFIC VOLUME COUNT SURVEY
Area: MAHARLIKA ROAD corner DEL PILAR STREET
TRICYCLE PUJ/PUV PRIVATE VEHICLE
6 - 7 AM 540 187 313
7 - 8 AM 542 182 486
8 - 9 AM 331 145 376
11 - 12 NN 1147 272 621
12 - 1 PM 1990 253 734
4 - 5 PM 621 362 574
5 - 6 PM 1325 248 602
Table 1.2
CLASSIFIED TRAFFIC VOLUME COUNT SURVEY
Area: MAHARLIKA ROAD infront of SM City
TRICYCLE PUJ/PUV PRIVATE VEHICLE
6 - 7 AM 467 63 521
7 - 8 AM 611 96 883
8 - 9 AM 378 138 421
11 - 12 NN 980 158 467
12 - 1 PM 1056 79 822
4 - 5 PM 448 86 633
5 - 6 PM 782 133 766
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 1.3
Total No. of Passengers
Barangay School Trips Work Trips
Demand
1 Aduas Centro 236 354 590
2 Aduas Norte 149 279 428
3 Aduas Sur 167 288 455
4 Bagong Buhay 10 35 45
5 Bagong Sikat 98 136 234
6 Bakero 158 168 326
7 Bakod Bayan 218 187 405
8 Balite 62 81 143
9 Bangad 354 297 651
10 Bantug Bulalo 469 396 865
11 Bantug Norte 736 685 1421
12 Barlis 145 80 225
13 Barrera District 521 345 866
14 Bernardo District 268 199 467
15 Bitas 396 254 650
16 Bonifacio District 255 187 442
17 Buliran 93 58 151
18 Caalibangbangan 547 503 1050
19 Cabu 495 497 992
20 Calawagan 71 63 134
21 Camp Tinio 523 486 1009
22 Caridad 82 185 267
23 Caudillo 66 33 99
24 Cinco-Cinco 158 74 232
25 City Supermarket 5 93 98
26 Communal 98 54 152
ISSN No:-2456-2165
27 Cruz Roja 293 264 557
28 Daan Sarile 881 639 1520
29 Dalampang 193 96 289
30 Dicarma 318 142 460
31 Dimasalang 225 178 403
32 DS Garcia 399 268 667
33 Fatima 157 98 255
34 General Luna 187 96 283
35 H. Concepcion 248 148 396
36 Ibabao-Bana 242 89 331
37 Imelda District 242 89 331
38 Isla 300 209 509
39 Kalikid Norte 365 182 547
40 Kalikid Sur 225 163 388
41 Kapitan Pepe 318 415 733
42 Lagare 203 150 358
43 Lourdes 202 142 344
44 M.S. Garcia 248 75 323
45 Mabini Extension 486 657 1143
46 Mabini Homesite 591 582 1173
47 Macatbong 158 99 257
48 Magsaysay Norte 728 618 1346
49 Magsaysay Sur 501 374 875
50 Ma. Theresa 152 132 284
51 Matadero 203 127 330
52 Mayapyap Norte 365 258 623
53 Mayapyap Sur 301 177 478
54 Melojavilla 183 95 278
ISSN No:-2456-2165
55 Nabao 127 90 217
56 Obrero 185 147 332
57 Padre Burgos 67 27 94
58 Padre Crisostomo 547 187 734
59 Pagas 495 81 576
60 Palagay 71 297 368
61 Pamaldan 523 396 919
62 Pangatian 82 685 767
63 Patalac 66 80 146
64 Polilio 98 279 377
65 Pula 201 288 489
66 Quezon District 368 35 403
67 Rizdelis 145 136 281
68 Samon 66 96 162
69 San Isisdro 348 396 744
70 San Josef Norte 354 401 755
71 San Josef Sur 469 568 1037
72 San Juan Accfa 736 523 1259
73 San Roque Norte 728 425 1153
74 San Roque Sur 501 336 837
75 Samnbermicristi 248 147 395
76 Sangitan West 193 98 291
77 Sangitan East 318 278 596
78 Sta. Arcadia 178 98 276
79 Sto. Niño 52 33 85
80 Sapang 96 45 141
81 Sumacab Este 986 520 1506
82 Sumacab Norte 918 409 1327
ISSN No:-2456-2165
83 Sumacab Sur 754 693 1447
84 Talipapa 145 74 219
85 Valdefuente 680 489 1169
86 Valle Cruz 257 196 453
87 Vijandre 170 180 350
88 Villa Ofelia 164 145 309
89 Zulueta 305 269 574

TOTAL 30777
Table 1.3 as shown above, represents the number of LGU Cabanatuan is doing its best efforts to address the
commuters going to school or work, per barangay, using issue by way of improving the public transport & traffic
tricycles on a daily basis. management system. Both Intra-City PUJs and Tricycles
Associations are part in formulation of the local public
The overwhelming results of the survey only proves transport route plan to ensure equal opportunities.
that indeed, tricycles play a vital role in the everyday lives
of the people therefore, the banning of tricycles on National RECOMMENDATIONS
Highways would greatly impact the reliance of commuters
to the three-wheeled vehicle. First, a lot of Cabanatueños Based on the different data gathered and the analysis
livelihood will be affected and on the other hand, the undergone during the entire study, it is highly recommended
commuters would have think of other ways of commuting. if that the economic impact in the implementation of the DILG
one has to be transferred from one tricycle to another public directive shall be of utmost consideration. The livelihood of
utility vehicle just to get to and from his destination, then the tricycle operators and drivers will be affected as well as
that would mean additional expense to the riding public. It is the expenses of the commuters.
also notable to consider is the fact that there are only 160
registered Intra-City Public Utility Jeeps (PUJs) operating A training seminar shall be conducted among TODAs
and only on the Central Business District of Cabanatuan. in Cabanatuan to further educate them of the general driving
rules which are safe and legal practices.
Cabanatuan is indeed a haven for Motorcycle dealers,
as matter of fact such business has boomed overwhelmingly The popularity of tricycles as a mode of transportation
in the last 5 years. With just basic requirements to submit is greatly offset by the fact that passengers are thought to be
and downpayment for as low as P3,000.00, one can simply unsafe, moreover on highways. Perhaps, the city
acquire a motorcycle unit. That is one of the reasons why government may consider looking at the possibility of
tricycle operation in the city has grown enormously. introducing the ”ergonomic design” for tricycle sidecars.
The modification may give tricycle more stability making it
VI. CONCLUSIONS more comfortable and safe for the riding public.
The problem facing tricycles in Cabanatuan and to REFERENCES

most parts of the country is something that can be addressed
by a holistic approach, using a methodological framework [1]. Letter of Instructions No. 1482, s. 1985,
that can address urban transport problems with simultaneous www.officialgazette.gov.ph
consideration of all the problem areas. The transport [2]. Memorandum Circular 2007-001, Department of
problems that cities are faced with can be broadly Interior and Local Government
categorised in five areas: land use; congestion; car [3]. Office of the Legalization Division – CMO, LGU
dependence; environment; and other issues, which include Cabanatuan
safety, political difficulties and economic prosperity. [4]. “The Traffic Code of the City of Cabanatuan”, City
Ordinance No. 001-2019, Sangguniang Panglungsod,
The presence of huge tricycle operations in LGU Cabanatuan
Cabanatuan shows that there exists a good relationship [5]. National Statistical Coordination Board Reports
between the tricycle/driver's association and the riding [6]. Tri-Wheels Federation, City of Cabanatuan
public. Tricycle is a culture that can never be removed in the [7]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorized_tricycle_(Phili
daily lives of Cabanatueños. Restricting tricycles on ppines)
highway may cause a possible transfer of ride which means
additional expense on the commuter.
Undeniably, tricycles are causing congestion not only

on National Highways but in most parts of Cabanatuan.
Tricycle Drivers seem unaware of the DILG directive and
are often times driving on the center lanes.

Determining The Possible Effect of DILG Memorandum Circular 2007-001 (Prohibition of Tricycle Along The National Highways) in Cabanatuan City As A Business Hub

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Volume 5, Issue 12, December – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

Determining the Possible Effect of DILG

IV. THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL This was exactly what the present government is

Area: MAHARLIKA ROAD corner DEL PILAR STREET

TRICYCLE PUJ/PUV PRIVATE VEHICLE

6 - 7 AM 540 187 313

7 - 8 AM 542 182 486

8 - 9 AM 331 145 376

11 - 12 NN 1147 272 621

12 - 1 PM 1990 253 734

4 - 5 PM 621 362 574

5 - 6 PM 1325 248 602

Area: MAHARLIKA ROAD infront of SM City

TRICYCLE PUJ/PUV PRIVATE VEHICLE

8 - 9 AM 378 138 421

11 - 12 NN 980 158 467

5 - 6 PM 782 133 766

2 Aduas Norte 149 279 428

3 Aduas Sur 167 288 455

5 Bagong Sikat 98 136 234

6 Bakero 158 168 326

7 Bakod Bayan 218 187 405

9 Bangad 354 297 651

10 Bantug Bulalo 469 396 865

11 Bantug Norte 736 685 1421

12 Barlis 145 80 225

13 Barrera District 521 345 866

14 Bernardo District 268 199 467

15 Bitas 396 254 650

16 Bonifacio District 255 187 442

18 Caalibangbangan 547 503 1050

19 Cabu 495 497 992

21 Camp Tinio 523 486 1009

22 Caridad 82 185 267

24 Cinco-Cinco 158 74 232

27 Cruz Roja 293 264 557

28 Daan Sarile 881 639 1520

29 Dalampang 193 96 289

30 Dicarma 318 142 460

31 Dimasalang 225 178 403

32 DS Garcia 399 268 667

33 Fatima 157 98 255

34 General Luna 187 96 283

35 H. Concepcion 248 148 396

36 Ibabao-Bana 242 89 331

37 Imelda District 242 89 331

38 Isla 300 209 509

39 Kalikid Norte 365 182 547

40 Kalikid Sur 225 163 388

41 Kapitan Pepe 318 415 733

42 Lagare 203 150 358

43 Lourdes 202 142 344

44 M.S. Garcia 248 75 323

45 Mabini Extension 486 657 1143

46 Mabini Homesite 591 582 1173

47 Macatbong 158 99 257

48 Magsaysay Norte 728 618 1346

49 Magsaysay Sur 501 374 875

50 Ma. Theresa 152 132 284

51 Matadero 203 127 330

52 Mayapyap Norte 365 258 623

53 Mayapyap Sur 301 177 478

54 Melojavilla 183 95 278