BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya —Officials of this town and neighboring Solano have agreed to declare a “free zone” for tricycles for hire at their highway boundary, Solano councilor Rudie Bueno said Thursday.
“Both the leadership of the LGUs of Bayombong and Solano towns finally agreed to declare a free zone for tricycles-for-hire to avert a tension that was building-up noontime on Wednesday at the highway boundary here,” Bueno said.
During the impasse, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla mobilized provincial government trucks and buses and even hired vans to transport stranded commuters.
After a negotiation, traffic enforcers from both Bayombong and Solano were given clear instructions to allow tricycles to pick up passengers when going back to their places of origin.
Legitimate trikes with a Solano franchise can now shuttle passengers to Bayombong. On their way back to Solano, they can pick up passengers starting from Botika Venturina, Bueno said.
Students of Nueva Vizcaya State University, which is in Bayombong, going to Solano could also be picked up at Dumlao Boulevard.
When in Solano, Bayombong franchised trikes can pick up passengers going to Bayombong starting from Mang Inasal, Bueno added.
The dispute loomed after traffic enforcers of both towns started apprehending Solano trikes who pick up passengers in Bayombong and vice versa, citing established ordinances.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte through Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the relief of the entire personnel of the Bayombong District Office and the Aritao Extension Office of the Land Transportation Office over allegations of extortion at the Aritao weighing bridge.
A well-placed source, who asked not to be named, told Manila Standard that LTO Region 2 is expected to release the result of its investigation this Friday.