The
City Government will push through with the total phase out of two-stroke motorized
tricycle units by January next year, contrary to moves by other provinces and
cities elsewhere in the country to adopt retro-fitting of engines in lieu of the
more environment-friendly four-stroke motorcycles.
In
an interview with the Chronicle, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee chair on
public utilities Councilor Edgar Bompat said retro-fitting kits being promoted
by an American firm specializing in converting two-stroke engines to lessen gas
emissions would cost around $300 or P15,000.
| | | Cities
like Puerto Princesa, Vigan and Iloilo have adopted retro-fitting to give tricycle
drivers and operators a chance not to discard their existing units.
However,
two-stroke units are not entirely discarded but mostly sold by its owners and
used as single-utility vehicles, Bompat explained.
Presently,
since City Hall's campaign to implement the use of four-stroke motorcycles, about
50% of the 2,000 tricycle units plying the city streets, have complied.
The
remaining 50% are expected to comply by January, upon renewal of their tricycle
franchises. |
Bompat
stressed it would be impractical for tricycle operators and drivers to install
retro-fitting kits at a cost that they could instead use paying for a new four-stroke
unit. At P15,000, operators could apply for easy installment offers in any motorcycle
dealers.
During
a conference that tackled the operation of tricycle units which Bompat attended
in Iloilo City, a presentation was made on retro-fitting.
However,
according to Bompat, retro-fitting is just an ingenuity that is not actually a
reliable measure to lessen toxic gas emission and does not guarantee better engine
performance.
Some
cities like Puerto Princesa opted to offer subsidies to tricycle drivers and operators
in purchasing retro-fitting kits. In fact, the city was able to obtain financing
through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the purpose.
Bompat
clarified that he has conferred with City Mayor Dan Lim about the issue. Both
Lim and the councilor might consider retro-fitting a secondary option to the replacement
of existing two-stroke units. | 
