Isko wants 'pullout' of e-tricycles in Manila

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday said he will soon prohibit the use of e-tricycles from operating in the Philippine capital, according to a report on Super Radyo dzBB by Glen Juego.

Moreno, who was among the mayors who attended the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, said e-trikes were affecting the operations of public utility jeepneys in Manila.

UPDATE: Ayon kay Mayor @IskoMoreno, ang mga jeepney driver ang lugi sa pamamayagpag ng e-tricycles dahil nababawasan ang kanilang kita; Nagbayad aniya ng prangkisa ang mga jeep habang bigla na lang aniyang lumitaw ang mga e-tricycle. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/Jsm8K6DR2m

— Glen Juego (@glenjuego) July 25, 2019

The Manila Public Information Office, on the other hand, said Moreno made the statement after general manager Jojo Garcia said the three-wheeled vehicles were classified as "toys."

BREAKING: Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he will pull out all e-tricycles in the nation’s capital.

This after MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said e-tricycles are classified as “toys” by the national government.#AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/LHfkoVhodW

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) July 25, 2019

During the time of Moreno's predecessor, former President and Manila Mayor Joesph Estrada, the local government moved to phase out pedicabs, tricycles, and "kuliglig" or improvised tractor-trikes.

These were replaced by more eco-friendly electric tricycles, which are seen to ease traffic. The e-trikes were initially be rolled out in major tourist destinations in the city, including Binondo, Ermita, and Malate.

The Philippine-made e-Trike which can seat seven passengers. The e-Trike has a maximum speed of 40- 45 kph. and is rechargeable for 4-5 hours using a gel-type battery.

Estrada at the time said the local government was planning to buy an e-Trike for each barangay.

Moreno's predecessor, then Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, tries a Philippine-made e-Trike which can seat seven passengers, in this file photo from June 2014. DANNY PATA

In 2012, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) approved a P21.5-billion project to promote sustainable transportation and achieve energy efficiency.

The NEDA said the project will reduce fuel consumption of tricycles by 2.8 percent, equivalent to 560,926 oil barrels.

In 2016, more than 100,000 were planned to be manufactured by the Bemac Electric Transportation Philippines in Carmona, Cavite through a joint project with the Department of Energy and Asian Development Bank. 

The following year, the City of Manila, under Estrada, distributed its first 50 e-trike units to tricycle driver-beneficiaries under the "boundary-hulog" system wherein the driver-owners will pay P150 daily for five years directly to the Office of the City Treasurer. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News