NOTE: This is an ongoing story. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released a statement saying its general manager Jojo Garcia was referring to e-bikes—
not e-trikes—when he made a comment that these vehicles are classified as 'toys' by the national government. We are still waiting for further clarification regarding this.
Electric tricycles—or e-trikes, as we call them—have been the subject of scrutiny for quite some time now because of regulatory complications. These have resulted in the questionable usage of these e-trikes—specifically for public transport—and it seems the Manila City government has had enough of it.
Earlier today, July 25, Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the pullout of all e-trike units plying Manila City’s streets. He said that aside from adding chaos to the roads, these e-trikes end up competing with drivers of public utility vehicles such as jeepneys.
“Ang kawawa, jeepney drivers. Bukod sa trapik at bukod sa magulo, more than anything else, kawawa jeepney driver. Yung jeepney driver nagbayad ng prangkisa, pumila para sa prangkisa. Ang hirap-hirap pa nga pag nahuli namin sila,” Moreno said in an interview.
He pitched a proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other governing agencies on how to possibly go about the regulation of these non-motorized vehicles. “Dapat, bago pa lang ipanganak ang mga e-trike, bago pa lang ilabas sa publiko, lagyan niyo na ng ‘These cannot be used for public transport,’” the mayor suggested. “Dapat sa planta pa lang, ang category nitong mga e-trike ay ‘For personal use.’ Kapag yun ang nai-tag sa e-trike, hindi pwedeng ipamasada, pero pwede mo namang gamitin pag namalengke ka.”
To do this, Moreno suggested that the vehicles must undergo a pre-identification process, which can be done under the supervision of the DOTr and the Land Transportation Office. He also mentioned that other agencies such as the Department of Energy and even the Bureau of Customs may help in the said process.
How about you—do you agree with these sentiments from the Manila City local government? Comments section is open.
