Mayor Isko lifts ban on e-trikes

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has lifted the ban on electronically operated tricycles and bicycles in Manila, just two days after banning them over safety considerations.

“Tuloy ang hanapbuhay ninyo [na mga e-trike drivers]. Bibigyan kayo ng kapanatagan,” Moreno said during a dialogue with e-trike drives on Monday afternoon.

“Regulated dapat ang bayad [ng pamasahe], hindi taas baba. Gawin mo na lang P100 [ang boundary], treasurer,” Moreno added which drew cheers from the crowd since drivers have informed the mayor that their current boundary is P150 a day.

Julius Leonen, chief of the City Public Information Office, later told GMA News Online that Moreno agreed to lift the ban based on the recommendation by the Office of the Legal City Officer that e-trikes be allowed to operate in the city provided that they first secure a franchise from Sangguniang Panlungsod, along with other five recommendations.

“Provided that they are regulated by the local government [of Manila], they will be allowed [to operate],” Leonen told GMA News Online.

The other recommendations from City of Manila Legal Officer Emeterio Moreno Jr. are:

• the conduct of an inventory of the e-trikes according to the Resolution issued by the 10-man Selection/Screening Committee;
• for the local government, in cooperation with City Treasurer, to ensure that e-trikes are registered in the books/Transfer of Property of the City of Manila;
• for the local government and City Treasurer to conduct inspection of the e-trikes on whether they are serviceable or otherwise;
• that the disposal of e-trikes should be in accordance to Commission on Audit rules on unserviceable e-trikes; and
• that regular reports in connection with the deployment of the said e-trikes be submitted to the Department of Energy.

Likewise, the Office of the Legal City Officer, in a two-page memorandum issued on Monday, July 29, also cited that such move is based on a May 21 Deed of Donation entered into by the City of Manila as Donee with the Department of Energy as Donor.

Under the said agreement, the City Government of Manila is obliged to:

• receive and make final acceptance of e-trikes and accomplish documents such as Property Transfer Report in order to officially acquire ownership over the vehicles;
• to strictly comply with the Deployment Plan approved by the Asian Development Bank; and
• submit regular reports to the Energy department every six months from actual delivery and acceptance of e-trike units

Under the Deed of Donation, failure of the City as Donee to comply with the pact will automatically revoke the Deed and Donor, in this case Energy department, will regain ownership of the e-trikes. — RSJ/BM, GMA News