Marcos grants grace period for e-trikes, e-bikes ban on Metro Manila roads

President Marcos has halted imposing fines and impounding e-trikes and e-bikes plying within Metro Manila roads, saying they must be given ample time to be informed about the ban.

Marcos made the directive to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs) on Thursday, April 18.

He gave a one-month grace period to e-bikes, e-trikes, and other affected vehicles on the second day of the implementation of the ban.

“Ngayong araw na ito, iniutos ko sa MMDA  at sa lahat ng lokal na pamahalaan 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 LGUs in Metro Manila to give a grace period to e-bikes, e-trikes, and other affected vehicles plying the roads of Metro Manila),” Marcos said.

“Kailangan pang magbigay ng sapat na panahon para sa malawak na pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa ban na ating ipinapatupad (We still need to give enough time for a wider dissemination of information on the implementation of the ban),” he added.

Despite the suspension of imposing fines and the impounding of affected vehicles, Marcos explained that e-trikes, e-bikes, and other affected vehicles will continue to be not allowed in plying national roads.

He explained that the grace period only covers the imposing of fines and impounding of vehicles violating the MMDA’s rules.

“Batay na rin sa rekomendasyon na aking natanggap, mananatiling bawal ang mga natukoy na sasakyan sa ilalim ng MMDA Regulation No. 24-022 series of 2024 sa mga piling pangunahing lansangan (Based on the recommendation we received, the certain vehicles are still not allowed to ply major roads under the MMDA Regulation No. 24-022 series of 2024),” Marcos said.

“Kung paparahin man sila, ito ay upang maayos na maituro ang mga kalsadang maaari nilang gamitin, pati na ang pagpapaalala ng mga bagong patakaran na ipinapatupad upang paigtingin ang kaligtasan at kaayusan sa mga langsangan (If they will be flagged down, it is only to direct them to the road they must be taking, and to remind them of the new rules that will be implemented to intensify the safety and order on roads),” Marcos added.

The implementation of the ban on e-trikes, e-bikes, and other light vehicles started on April 17. Apprehended violators will have to pay a P2,500 fine.

On a video message, the President explained his decision to give the one-month grace period, noting that the P2,500 fine is such a huge amount for the e-trike and e-bike drivers.

“Dahil nakita ko naman na ‘yung pag enforce na napaka-strikto dun sa mga electric vehicles sa national road ay napapanood ko sila sa news, nakakaawa naman talaga at dapat bigyan naman natin sila ng pagkakataon para alam nila kung ano ba ‘yung bagong rules, papaano sila mag adjust (Because we saw that the enforcement on the electric vehicles sa national road  is very strict, we feel sorry for them and we must give them a chance to further understand the rules and how they will adjust),” Marcos said.

“At saka P2,500 ang laking multa niyan, napakabigat niyan para sa kanila, so, bigyan natin sila ng isang buwan para alam nila kung ano ba ‘yung dapat nilang gawin (And the P2,500 is such a huge fine, it will be burden for them, so let’s give them a month to know what they must do),” he added. — Betheena Unite

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