A private group has called for clearer policies and broader enforcement of the LTO ban on e-trikes and e-bikes on major roads in Metro Manila. The LTO has begun strict enforcement of the ban on EDSA, C-5, Roxas Boulevard, and Quirino Avenue up to SLEX, where violators will be towed and their vehicles may be impounded.
The Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) supports the LTO's move due to the safety of motorists and passengers, but stressed the need for clearer implementation. According to EVAP President Edmund Araga, it should be clear what type of e-trike is allowed and which secondary roads they can travel on, especially for L3 and L4 categories that are registered and compliant with regulations.
The LTO also shared that 114 motorists were caught on the first day of implementation and will be adding personnel and enforcement teams to ensure full compliance. However, EVAP insisted that the ban should not only be in Metro Manila, but nationwide, because many e-trikes are already used as public transport in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including those unregistered and dangerous on national highways.
The group also emphasized that public safety and welfare should take precedence over economic considerations, and that coordination between LTO and LGUs is important. According to EVAP, LGUs have a critical role in identifying routes and designated areas for e-trikes and e-bikes to ensure effective and equitable implementation. EVAP is open to continued dialogue and consultation to develop better policy.
