Marcos says intensified info drive needed
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and all local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to observe a one-month grace period before strictly enforcing the ban on electric motorcycles and tricycles in major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
The President took to social media to announce his directive, saying government needs more time to disseminate information about the ban so affected motorists can fully prepare and comply with the MMDA directive.
“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. Kailangan pang magbigay ng sapat na panahon para sa malawak na pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa ban na ating ipinapatupad (I ordered the MMDA and all local government units in Metro Manila to give a grace period to e-bikes, e-trikes and all vehicles that are affected by the ban in national roads in Metro Manila. There is a need for more time and more information dissemination about the ban),” he said in his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Nakita ko naman na iyung pag-enforce ay napaka-istrikto dun sa mga electric vehicles sa national road, napapanood ko sila sa news. Nakakaawa naman talaga. Dapat bigyan naman natin sila ng pagkataon para alam nila kung ano ang bagong rules, paano sila mag-aadjust (I saw the strict enforcement of the ban on select electric vehicles on national roads. I watched the news, and they are pitiful. We should give them a chance to know the new rules, how they can adjust),” he also said.
The President said the prohibition will remain in effect during the grace period, but no citation tickets shall be issued, no fines imposed, and no vehicles will be impounded.
“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 they are flagged down, this should be used to inform them of the right roads that they can use, and to remind them of the new regulations which are being implemented for the safety and order on the streets),” he said.
The President also said the P2,500 fine on violators is very high and would be a burden to the drivers of tricycles, pedicabs and the like, but did not issue any directive whether to slash the fine or not.
“Iyong P2,500, napakalaking multa niyan, napakabigat niyan para sa kanila. So bigyan natin sila ng isang buwan para alam nila ang dapat gawin (The P2,500 fine is too big and too much for them. So let’s give them one month so they will know what to do),” he said in a separate video message on Facebook.
The ban on the use of e-vehicles, such as e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and tractor-drawn carts known as “kuliglig” on national, circumferential and radial roads in Metro Manila took effect on April 15.
The MMDA started issuing citation tickets to violators of the ban on April 17.
Under MMDA Regulation No. 24-022 series of 2024, the said vehicles are not allowed in Recto Avenue, Pres. 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, Quezon Avenue/ Commonwealth Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del Pan/Marcos Highway/ McArthur Highway Elliptical Road, Mindanao Avenue, Marcos Highway, Boni Avenue, and España Boulevard.
Violators of the rule shall be fined P2,500, while unregistered vehicles will be impounded.
