The Mandaluyong City government has stopped pedicabs from operating in the city, in compliance with the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to clear all roads of obstructions.

The local government said it is ready to provide either employment or livelihood and financial assistance to pedicab drivers and operators who will be affected by the removal of pedicab operations and terminals.

An operator is given the option to surrender his pedicab to the city government and will be paid P10,000 per unit regardless of how old the unit is. They can use the money as capital to fund a new means of livelihood.

Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos is also including a sack of rice in the deal.

Likewise, Abalos said legitimate pedicab operators and drivers will be given the opportunity to work for the city government.

Each driver and operator will be enrolled in the city’s cash for work program for 10 days. They will also undergo the necessary training and be assigned to work at city hall, such as a staff of the Engineering Department or as a traffic enforcer or street sweeper, depending on their capacity.

As for operators or drivers past the age of 60, they can have their son or daughter take their place in the program.

“As long as they are legitimate pedicab operators and drivers, we will hire them,” Abalos said. “Our only requirement for them is to undergo and pass a drug test. If they test positive, we will not entertain them anymore.”

The mayor said the city government is not against any form of decent livelihood so long as it complies with the law. Since it didn’t issue pedicabs franchises to operate, it has no choice but to stop the operations or face sanctions from the DILG.

Former mayor Benhur Abalos had foreseen the possibility that pedicabs may be removed in the future. This was why some livelihood programs for operators and drivers were held back then.