With unabated road accidents involving two-wheeled trailers pulled by two wheel tractors or commonly known as ‘kuliglig,’ the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cagayan Valley Region will hold a consultative stakeholders’ meeting with local chief and other concerned government agencies to formulate solutions to address the issue.
Earlier, DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson has directed that “kuliglig,” tricycles or pedicabs may use the most outer lane of the widened national roads in order not to impede the free flow of traffic.
However, the newly widened concrete pavements were made as solar dryers for palay or corn kernels making these kuliglig and tricycles to use the inner or fast lanes, said Secretary Singson.
Oftentimes, Singson noted that “kuliglig” or tricycles lead a long train of buses, trucks, cars and other vehicles behind them, which could not overtake.
Cognizant on the danger passed by these tricycles, the Department of Interior and Local Government in its Memorandum Circular 2007-01 has also prohibited the operation of tricycles or pedicab on national highways.
The problem is, according to DPWH Region II Director Melvin Navarro, the local government units allow these tricycles, pedicab and “kuliglig” to use the national highways due to absence of alternate routes.
Along Cagayan Valley road, Navarro also observed the absence of tail lights or even reflectorized stickers placed at the rear of these trailers including tricycles and pedicabs placing them as road risks at nighttime especially to fast moving passenger buses and freight trucks.
“But we have to be firmed in our advocacy in promoting road safety and protect public welfare. We cannot afford to be just sitting down here and watch these accidents happen,” Navarro further said.