By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
The implementation of the rule banning electric bicycles or e-bikes and electric tricycles or e-trikes on national highways would push through beginning Dec. 1, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, said in a press conference on Friday.
“I know many would get mad, but my priority is your safety,” he said in Filipino.
Violators’ vehicles would be impounded, since owners of e-bikes and e-trikes don’t have licenses, Lacanilao said.
Information drives for those using secondary roads will be increased to discourage them from going to national highways, he added.
Lacanilao’s statement came as the new move drew ire from some netizens.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Friday that the Transportation Department should draw a clear distinction between light electric vehicles used strictly for private transport and those that are for hire. He noted that the two categories should not be treated as the same since only the latter needs to be registered.
For both categories, however, Ridon reportedly said that there is no law prohibiting drivers from taking major thoroughfares and national roads.
“The EVIDA (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act) Law even allows it,” Ridon said.
