Netizens could not help but compare the government’s treatment of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s tricycle and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s e-trikes.
The government had approved of Isko’s plan to use e-trikes but rejected Vico’s plan to let tricycles serve frontliners and Pasiguenos in the light of the enhanced community quarantine.
On Twitter, netizens asked the government why there seemed to be inconsistent policy with regards to tricycles.
Teka, teka. Pag mayor ng Pasig, bawal. Pag mayor ng Maynila, pwede, suportado pa ng Department of Labor and Employment. Ba't ganun? Pareho naman silang pogi. https://t.co/mk96sITstO
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) March 19, 2020
Tricycles ni Vico rejected. E-Trikes ni Isko approved?
Mashadong obvious. Suntukan na lang! https://t.co/OG9CKyltUU
— BrujaTortillasDeliciosas (@BrujaDelDemonio) March 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/swikey/status/1240551742858657793
Nooooow i get it. Pag tricycle bawal. Pag etrike pede. Dahil sa social distancing. Tama nga naman! Sobrang layo ng distance ng tricycle sa etrike eh. Mas soc….. Mas sosyal kasi ung etrike. Soc…. Sosyal distancing👏👏👏 iba tlaga pgka alyado s pulitika.
— kellyboy22 (@cmdswish22) March 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/rka271/status/1240553804858142720
https://twitter.com/iamnotcleo/status/1240587007417442304
On Wednesday, March 18, Mayor Vico appealed to the national government to exempt tricycles from the transportation ban saying they can be used to ferry medical front liners and citizens with emergency medical needs of the city.
According to the Mayor, they’ve already used all their available government vehicles but there are still deficiencies in the transportation needs.
This a simple illustration I just made. Please help me share it so that others (govt) will see why it's practical. This is my simple contribution to Mayor Vico. This is the most practical way to show them it is feasible thru tricycle. Thank you. I have included details as well. pic.twitter.com/kKyLGGV8G4
— jininabottle (@JiniMRY) March 19, 2020
“Nakikiusap po ako sa ating nasyonal na pamahalaan na baka pwede bigyan ng konsiderasyon yung tricycle, hindi na po para sa tricycle driver, para po sa public health and safety,” Sotto said.
The appeal however was shutdown by DILG (Dept. of Interior and Local Government) saying it will cause confusion with other LGUs.
“Now, if other LGUs in Metro manila can shuttle their health care workers why can’t Pasig? The other LGUs are now using buses to ferry their health care workers,” said DILG Usec Jonathan Malaya.
“Pasig is the only LGU that has not complied with the directive of the president.
“We appeal to Mayor Vico to be more creative in dealing with this problem just like the other Metro Manila mayors who have addressed this problem already,” Malaya added.
However, after Vico’s appeal was shut down, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno shared the news that the City of Manila will be deploying 189 e-trikes to be used by medical front liners in the city.
189 e-trikes will be deployed for frontliners in Manila, may trabaho at may sweldo!
Programa po ito ng national government, through Department of Labor and Employment.
Hatid-sundo ng ating mga doctor, nurse, healthcare workers sa mga public hospital ng Lungsod ng Maynila. 😊🙏 pic.twitter.com/sSvNDnPHEo
— Isko Moreno Domagoso (@IskoMoreno) March 19, 2020
Unlike, in Pasig’s case, DILG allowed Manila’s initiative saying it did not violate the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
“The difference kay mayor ng Manila, yung e-trike, e-vehicles ay hindi pumapasada. Ito ay hinire o cinommission ng Manila on dispatch system for the purpose of bringing health workers to the hospital,” said DILG Sec. Eduardo Año.
Meanwhile, Mayor Vico shunned comparisons of him and his efforts in Pasig with other LGUs.
If only the people in power cared more about the people than their need to be right. https://t.co/6rZCwDFlmW
— nini (@janinegutierrez) March 19, 2020
How can there be social distancing in these trucks?
Huwag po nating maliitin ang kakayahan ng mga kapwa nating lingkod-bayan na pag-aralan ang sitwasyon, at maglapat ng angkop at ligtas na paraan batay sa kanilang kalagayan upang tulungan ang ating mga kababayan. https://t.co/ZALBxNir4K
— Sarah Elago (@sarahelago) March 19, 2020
In an interview with Jessica Soho, Sotto said there shouldn’t be comparison or competition with other LGUs. What they need are cooperation and sharing of best practices.
“Ms. Jessica sana wag na natin ikompara sa isa’t-isa yung mga LGU. Kung constructive ok lang naman ako kasi alam nyo kame po sito sa Pasig pag may nakikita kameng magagandang practice sa ibang LGU ginagaya din po namin,” said Mayor Vico.
“So kailangan po yung mga LGU hindi po ahh, hindi po dapat negatibo yung comparison kundi magtulungan na lang po kame. Let’s copy each other’s best practices,” he added.
