MANILA: Concerned agencies are set to harmonize the policies pertaining to the use of electric motorcycles following its proliferation in the National Capital Region.

Leaders of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), as well as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) met yesterday to discuss the existing laws, policies, guidelines, ordinances, and programs concerning electric motorcycles.

According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, the wide usage of such vehicles has become a cause for concern.

“The LGUs (local government units) have laid down their concerns, existing ordinances, regulations, and programs concerning e-vehicles; these will be reconciled with the policies of the national government,” Artes said.

“E-vehicle units, e-tricycles, e-bikes, e-pedicabs, e-scooters, push carts, and kuligligs on the roads not only slow down the flow of traffic but also pose grave risks and danger to the lives of concerned drivers, passengers, and pedestrians,” he added.

The MMDA chief noted that among the sales pitches of agents retailing e-bicycles and e-tricycles is that users do not need to secure a license or have the units registered.

“When these e-vehicle users violate the law, how can we issue a traffic violation ticket if the users do not possess a license? We also cannot charge the vehicle owners because they are not registered,” Artes noted.

The MMDA said that based on its monitoring, minors were seen driving e-vehicles on national highways, some do not wear protective gears or helmets, and others use their units in the middle of the highways.

“In coming up with a new set of regulations, we shall address these concerns, particularly safety issues. We will consolidate and harmonize all existing rules and regulations as well as ongoing programs of the LGUs and even national government concerning e-vehicles to make it comprehensive. This will also cover not just Metro Manila but nationwide,” Artes said.

Artes said Metro Manila LGU were asked to submit by Monday a list of their own ordinances, regulations, and programs, particularly the use of the units for livelihood, to iron out possible concerns.

For his part, LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza said that e-bicycle and e-tricycle registration as well as requiring users to have a driver's licenses are among the probable changes.

“We will take a second look at the suggestions of the LGUs and propose the appropriate measures to regulate the use of   e-vehicles in major thoroughfares,” Mendoza said, adding that agency will also submit its recommendations to the DOTr.

Meanwhile, LTFRB Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said they are also concerned with the increasing number of e-trikes as they hinder the government’s plan on modernization of public utility vehicles (PUV).

“These e-trikes compete with legitimate PUVs in getting passengers. We are coordinating with the MMDA and LTO to apprehend these units that do not have franchises to operate as PUVs,” said Guadiz.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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