LEGALIZING operations of “payong-payong”, pedicabs, and other modified motorized vehicles plying the city streets would worsen the traffic situation in Davao City, said Dionisio Abude, chief of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office(CTTMO).

This comes after city council committee on transportation and communication chair Conrado Baluran filed a resolution on Tuesday, urging the Motorized Vehicle Franchising and Regulatory Division (MVFRD) of CTTMO and other concerned agencies to open up new franchises to stop the illegal operation of unregistered motorized vehicle units.

Baluran said these vehicles should be allowed for humanitarian reasons, considering that many operators and drivers will be economically affected by the city’s harsh operation against the unregistered motorized vehicle units.

The councilor added that these vehicles are the most common local means of transportation that accommodate passengers especially in the interior part of the city.

However, CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said on Friday, March 29, the councilor’s request is very complicated, especially that under Ordinance 0334-12, otherwise known as Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City, payong-payong is considered illegal.

“Una sa tanan, ang payong-payong is an illegal attachment. I doubt nga musugot ang LTO (Land Transportation Office) na i-register na sila. (First of all, payong-payong is an illegal attachment. I doubt that the LTO will register them),” Abude said.

He also said that payong-payongs had already congested CTTMO’s impounding area.

Abude said their office would have to look into the proposal so that they can give their thoughts regarding this matter.

CTTMO recently announced the regulation of motorized tricycle for hire and pedal-operated tricycle to decongest large volume of vehicles in the city. (RLL with Jessa Mae Reston, Usep intern)