Terry Ridon, Bicol Saro Party-list representative and a member of the House Transportation Committee, welcomed the implementation of the electric tricycle (e-trike) ban on major Metro Manila highways on Friday, thanking the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for limiting the restriction to primary roads.

Ridon said the move provides flexibility by allowing e-trikes and e-bikes to continue operating on secondary roads, noting that light electric vehicles remain essential to the daily lives of many Filipinos.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Land Transportation Office sa pagtatakda lamang ng mga partikular at mayor na mga kalsada sa Metro Manila kung saan ipinagbabawal ang mga e-trikes,” Ridon said in a statement.

“Malaking pagsalubong ito sa panawagan ng mga e-trikes at e-bike users sa buong bansa na gawing mapang-unawa at makamamayan ang patakaran sa light electric vehicles, lalo’t ginagamit talaga ito ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay,” he added.

Under the policy, e-trikes are prohibited from operating on major highways, including Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), C-5 Road, Roxas Boulevard, and Quirino Avenue to Magallanes–South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), in line with existing policies of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the enforcement is grounded on general road safety considerations, noting that major thoroughfares are designed for faster and larger vehicles.

“This enforcement is based on general road safety considerations. These primary thoroughfares are designed for faster and larger vehicles and are not suitable for e-trikes due to the speed of traffic flow, the volume of vehicles, and the width of the roads. Allowing slow-moving and lightweight vehicles on these types of roads poses a clear danger to all road users,” Lacanilao said.

He added that the LTO recognizes the importance of e-trikes as a mode of transport for many commuters and said the agency is open to working with local government units and industry stakeholders to identify safe and appropriate routes for light electric vehicles.

Motorists caught operating e-trikes on prohibited roads will face penalties under Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, and Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, including fines and possible impoundment of vehicles.

The LTO stressed that the policy does not amount to a total ban on e-trikes but aims to prevent accidents and promote safety and order on major roads while comprehensive joint guidelines from the Department of Transportation and other agencies are being finalized.

The agency said law enforcers will be deployed at critical points along affected roads to inform motorists of the policy and ensure proper implementation, appealing to the public to cooperate and comply with traffic rules.

Ridon said he is willing to work with the LTO and the Department of Transportation in crafting rules for the registration of light electric vehicles weighing more than 50 kilograms, as well as licensing requirements for their drivers.

“Layunin nating makipagtulungan sa LTO at sa liderato ng Department of Transportation para sa bagong patakaran sa pagrerehistro ng mga LEVs na mas mabigat sa 50kgs, paglilisensiya sa mga nagmamaneho ng mga LEVs na mas mabigat sa 50kgs, at road safety education para sa lahat ng mga bibili ng mga LEVs,” he said.