The city government here has allowed private tricycles to ply around the city only for mobility of authorized persons outside residence (APOR) and for accessing essential services.

In a Facebook live message on Monday, Mayor Julier Resuello said people can now go outside their homes using private tricycles but have to follow guidelines to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Private tricycle owners can now go outside their houses and go to the city proper provided that they will abide by the regulations set by the local government unit (LGU), including one passenger only and no backride,” he said.

He said only government workers, medical frontliners, and other employees, among others, classified as APOR are allowed to use tricycles in the city, adding unauthorized persons are mandated to stay at home.

Resuello said the driver will be issued a citation ticket once the tricycle is used by an unauthorized person outside of residence.

Private tricycles could also not fetch a passenger for a service ride, while a partition material between the passenger and the driver is highly encouraged to avoid Covid-19 transmission.

Resuello said there was a delay in giving green light to privately-owned tricycles because they have yet to study the guidelines of the general community quarantine (GCQ).

“We did not allow private tricycles before to roam around the city because we thoroughly checked the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and we have learned that it is the task of the LGUs if they would allow private tricycles,” he added.

Meanwhile, under the GCQ, a quarantine pass will still be required, especially those going to the market and accessing other essential services, while each barangay in the city still has its market schedule three times a week. (PNA)

Photo Source: pna.gov.ph