Biglang mahal kasi! Castelo urges DTI to regulate prices of bicycles

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo has urged the Department of Trade and Industry to regulate the prices of bicycles and scooters which are currently becoming popular alternative modes of transportation as jeepneys and buses remain prohibited under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Castelo, vice-chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said limited public transportation amid the threat of coronavirus pandemic has forced many among the low and middle income Filipinos to use bikes and motorbikes to go to their workplaces or to the grocery to buy household essentials.

Castelo stressed the government, through the DTI, “should intervene to protect the public,” noting that since the said two-wheel vehicles are becoming popular and demand is increasing, “prices are naturally going up.”

“The DTI should regulate prices of bicycles and small motorbikes and their parts. The executive branch has such power under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law,” said Castelo.

The lawmaker also cautioned the DTI to also watch for signs of hoarding and price manipulation.

Meanwhile, Castelo said employers, banks and even the DTI and other concerned agencies could offer soft loans to workers for the procurement of bicycles and small motorcycles.

“This could substitute compliance to the requirement that companies allowed to resume operations under GCQ and modified GCQ should provide shuttle service to their employees,” she said.

The Quezon City solon also appealed to the national government to promote the use of bikes as means of transportation during and post-GCQ and to designate bike lanes at least in major roads in Metro Manila and the provinces.

“Biking to the office or the workplace and to the store should be the post- Covid-19 new normal. It will ease traffic congestion and lessen pollution. It will also promote one’s physical health and wellbeing because it is a form of exercise,” she said.

She noted that some local government units in Metro Manila have already started promoting the use of bikes and have assigned bike lanes in some major roads.

Castelo also appealed to employers to provide rest and shower facilities and parking spaces to their personnel-bikers.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)