MALAY, Aklan – The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) wants to extend the deadline for the total phase-out of old tricycles in the famed Boracay Island.
SB member Floribar Bautista said they agreed to propose such in response to the appeal of the some tricycle drivers and operators who are affected by the island’s half-year closure.
These operators and drivers have yet to acquire electronic tricycles from accredited suppliers, Bautista added.
Boracay was closed off to tourists to pave the way for its rehabilitation.
The shutdown was at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, who also placed the three island villages – Balabag, Manoc-manoc and Yapak – under a state of calamity.
Bautista said they will recommend to the inter-agency task force assigned to “reverse” Boracay’s condition their proposal to extend the phase-out deadline beyond August 30 – the original schedule.
The phase-out extension will last until “Boracay operations normalize,” said Bautista.
“Their (operators and drivers) daily income and livelihood affect their plans to get electronic trikes (tricycles),” he added. “Saan sila kukuha ng pang-down payment sa mga e-trikes na pangpalit sa old tricycle units?”
But SB member Jupiter Aelred Gallenero clarified that only those who have yet to get new tricycle units will be allowed to use their old units should the SB proposal be approved.
“Ang mga tricycle drivers na wala pang e-trikes, [sila na] ‘yung sa second batch ng implementation. [Sila] ay bigyan natin ng extension dahil sa financial crisis, may Boracay closure,” Gallenero said.
Mayor Ceciron Cawaling issued Executive Order No. 007-2018, which directed the Malay Transportation Office to phase out old tricycle units in the island.
The gradual phase-out of tricycle units to energy-efficient e-trikes was initiated as early as 2010 to reduce traffic congestion and to improve the livelihood of more than 500 tricycle drivers in Boracay. (With report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
It’s not enough to rid the island of the noise and air polluting gas tricycles, Boracay suffers badly fom motorcycles ridden by unlicensed/unisured opportunity taxi riders who are an extreme nuisance and danger as they aggressively stalk tourists and residents for business. Meanwhile, the electric tricycles are unstable, often rolling over, suffering from brake loss or bursting into flames. There are long established, reputable 4 wheel electric car manufacturers who should be approached to provide a safe, practical and energy efficient solution to Boracay’s transportation issues.