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PBBM orders grant of grace period to e-vehicles using NCR nat’l roads
REGULATING E-TRIKES. Electronic tricycles (e-trikes) ply the streets of Tondo, Manila on Thursday (Feb. 15, 2024). Concerned national government agencies and local government units have begun discussions on how to regulate the use of e-bikes and other unregistered electronic vehicles (e-vehicles) nationwide as they pose a “grave risk” to their drivers, other motorists, and pedestrians, and slow down the flow of traffic. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs) to grant a one-month grace period to electric and other vehicles recently banned from using national roads in Metro Manila.
In an X post, Marcos said e-bikes, e-trikes, and other light vehicles prohibited from traversing around 20 major thoroughfares in Metro Manila should be given enough time to be aware of the implementation of the ban.
“Ngayong araw na ito, iniutos ko sa MMDA at sa lahat ng lokal na pamahaalan sa Metro Manila na bigyan ng palugit ang mga e-bikes, e-trikes at iba pang apektadong sasakyan na dumadaan sa ilang tukoy na daan sa Metro Manila (Today, I ordered the MMDA and all local governments in Metro Manila to grant a grace period to e-bikes, e-trikes and other affected vehicles that pass through certain roads in Metro Manila),” Marcos said.
“Kailangan pang magbigay ng sapat na panahon para sa malawak na pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa ban na ating ipinapatupad (It is necessary to give enough time for the wide disclosure of information regarding the ban that we are implementing),” he added.
Marcos was referring to MMDA Regulation 24-022 which took effect on Monday, prohibiting e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and “kuligligs” (improvised motor vehicle) from plying national roads, circumferential roads, and radial roads in Metro Manila.
Marcos said the new regulation must be clear to those using vehicles not allowed to traverse select roads in Metro Manila.
“Ang sakop ng grace period ay ang hindi pag-ticket, pagmulta at pag-impound ng mge e-trike (The scope of the grace period is the non-ticketing, fines and impounding of e-trikes),” he said.
“Kung paparahin man sila, ito ay upang maayos na maituro ang mga kalsadang maari nilang gamitin, pati na ang pagpapaalala ng mga bagong patakaran na ipinapatupad upang paigtingin ang kaligtasan at kaayusan sa mga langsangan (If you call them out, you have to inform them about the roads they can use, as well as to remind them of the new rules that are being implemented to increase safety and order on the street).”
The MMDA order covers Recto Avenue; President Quirino Avenue; Araneta Avenue; Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue; Katipunan/C.P. Garcia; Southeast Metro Manila Expressway; Roxas Boulevard; Taft Avenue; Osmeña Highway or South Super Highway; Shaw Boulevard; Ortigas Avenue; Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard; and Quezon Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue.
Violators will have to pay a fine of PHP2,500 and unregistered vehicles will be impounded.
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
