The Land Transportation Office, through a recent Senate hearing, made it clear that it will be imposing a ban on all e-trikes on national highways starting December 1. Today, it reiterated that in an official statement to confirm that the decision is final, and it also shared some important details.
Agency chief Markus Lacanilao said in a press briefing that beginning Monday, all e-bikes, e-trikes, and e-quads caught on the national highway and major thoroughfares will still be automatically impounded as per its initial statement. However, for only the first five days, these light electric vehicles (LEVs) apprehended on secondary roads will not be impounded. Operators will only be informed about the new policy and warned to stay off public roads.
The LTO also stated that its decision is in line with Section 5-A of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation Traffic Code, “which states that no motor vehicle shall be used or operated on or upon any public highways of the Philippines unless the same is properly registered.”
Lacanilao added that e-bikes and e-trikes “are considered motor vehicles which come under the purview of registration with LTO under RA 4136.” He also said that RA 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) “defines an electric vehicle as any vehicle equipped with at least one electric drive per propulsion,” which means these LEVs “fall squarely with the definition of motor vehicles when operated on public roads.”
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“Linawin ko lang po para po sa publiko, yung December 1 nating hulihan ay sa national highway. National highway means ’yung mga MacArthur Highway, Maharlika Highway, EDSA, A. Bonifacio—’yung mga main highway. Pero yung mga nasa secondary road, kung ang inyong e-bike ay tumakbo kayo sa secondary road, i-inform kayo,” said Lacanilao. “Hindi kagaya ng hulihan sa national highway. I-inform kayo na bawal na ’yan, ito ano muna tayo para iwasan ninyo. Kumbaga information drive sa kanila dun sa mga secondary road.”
“Nagkaroon po kami ng pag-uusap with the DOTr, kay Secretary Giovanni Lopez. Ang sinuggest nga niya, at least ang LGU magkaroon man ng time ang LGU na ma-inform ’yung mga area nila. Kaya bigyan natin sila ng time. So five days, doon po sa mga secondary roads or ’yung mga nasa loob ng mga bayan.”
Lacanilao also said that the agency is ready to register e-bikes as needed. “Bubuhayin lang yung old admin order. Pero hindi lahat na pwedeng i-register. Bakit? Kasi merong mga safety concerns. Hindi lahat ng e-bikes ay capable na magamit ng publiko. Bakit? Dahil sa safety concerns.”
He said that the registration process was clarified in the old administrative order, and the agency will relay it to the public so they can register their e-bikes. However, Lacanilao said that even when the e-bikes are registered, they still won’t be allowed on national highways.
Frankly, all we can do now is just wait and see what will happen come Monday. We’ll know then if this ban will actually push through, unlike last time, as well as what effect it’ll have on our roads once it takes effect.
