Kuliglig drivers in Manila make last-ditch efforts vs ban

Drivers and operators of "kuliglig" or motorized pedicabs in Manila made a last-ditch stand starting Tuesday night to fend off a city order banning them from plying the city’s main roads. Radio dzBB reported Wednesday the drivers held a vigil in Plaza Lawton Tuesday night appealing to Mayor Alfredo Lim to take back Executive Orders 16 and 17. Fernando Tesoro, spokesman for the local kuliglig drivers' alliance, said the orders threaten to rob them of their livelihood. The executive orders will limit the motorized pedicabs to side streets in the city. On Wednesday morning, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported some 300 motorized pedicabs were readied for a "motorcade" to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang and to the Manila City Hall. Earlier, the Manila city government issued Executive Orders 16 and 17, banning the kuliglig from main streets starting Wednesday. City officials said the vehicles are not allowed in main streets as their engines are not registered with the Land Transportation Office. Also, kuliglig drivers had been blamed for disrupting traffic in major streets in the city. — LBG, GMANews.TV