A TOTAL of 39 tricycle units were impounded Wednesday, April 8, for violating the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Kalibo.

In a press conference, Mayor Emerson Lachica said he ordered the Kalibo police to strictly enforce the ECQ measures after receiving feedback that policies have not been strictly implemented.

A number of individuals have been seen roaming around Kalibo, especially with the distribution of social amelioration assistance among beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the province of Aklan.

Most of the 4Ps beneficiaries have to go to Kalibo to get withdraw their financial assistance from an ATM machine.

Many of the tricycle drivers in the town took advantage of the situation and ferried passengers around the municipality.

"Because of the incident, I have ordered the PNP (Philippine National Police) to ban all the transportation in Kalibo with registered public franchises, even if it will be for private use," said Lachica.

Aside from tricycles, other public utility vehicles such as vans and jeepneys have also been banned.

The town of Kalibo has been placed under ECQ as it has registered three cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Residents have been told to stay at home to prevent the spread of the new virus. (SunStar Philippines)