DILG appeals to Sotto to find another way of transporting health workers than tricycles

March 18, 2020

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is appealing to the mayor of Pasig City to find another alternative solution in transporting health workers instead of using tricycle.

In a message to reporters, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said any form of mass transportation is prohibited during the one-month enhanced community quarantine.

“Because our purpose is to limit the movement of people to stop the spread of the disease. Every person is a potential carrier,” Malaya said.

“We appeal to Mayor Vico (Sotto) to be more creative in dealing with this problem just like the other Metro Manila mayors who have addressed this problem already,” he added.

The undersecretary said Pasig City is the only local government unit (LGU) that has not complied with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Now, if other LGUs in Metro manila can shuttle their health care workers why can’t Pasig? The other LGUs are now using buses to ferry their health care worker,” Malaya said.

Earlier, Interior secretary Eduardo Año said he already ordered all LGU to stop tricycle operations in their respective areas. 

If they insist, Año said the Philippine National Police will apprehend violators.

“I already gave guidance to stop the tricycle operation. The PNP will apprehend violators,” he said in a Viber message to The Daily Manila Shimbun.

On Tuesday, Sotto lifted the suspension on tricycle operations in the city as Pasig  has a limited number of transportation  to bring health workers and other authorized personnel in the city. 

Even after Año gave a directive, Pasig continued to use tricycles.

Sotto told ANC he allowed tricycles to ply their routes not only to bring health workers but residents who need to go to the hospital. Sotto said the city government will pay the traffic violation fines tricycle drivers incur.

He added that once there are enough buses or other forms of transport, the use of tricycles will stop. Ella Dionisio/DMS