E-trikes, illegally-parked vehicles impounded in Parañaque City

Several electric tricycles (e-trikes) and illegally parked vehicles were impounded in a road-clearing operation in Parañaque City on Thursday.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on 24 Oras, the Parañaque City-Traffic and Parking Management Office (TPMO) made no exceptions.

In 2006, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) banned light electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-trikes on national roads. They are only allowed to cross main roads and limited to side roads.

A woman claiming she was taking a patient to the hospital pleaded to authorities.

“Sir, makiusap lang ako, yung sasakyan kasi namin service e-bike, magpapaalam lang kami kasi papunta kaming ospital. Hindi tumuloy kasi baka raw hulihin,” she said.

(Sir, I would like to make a request, we would like to use our e-bike to bring someone to the hospital. We were afraid we might be apprehended.)

According to TPMO Deputy Donald Matias, “Ang e-bike po bawal dumaan sa national road. Wala po bang means of transport, jeep, or taxi? Sana maunawaan niyo po na ginagawa lang namin yung trabaho natin.”

(E-bikes are not allowed on national roads. Could you use a jeep or taxi instead? I hope you understand that we are just doing our jobs.)

Several vehicles illegally parked on the road were also fined, as well as a tricycle used to deliver fish.

The clearing operation is said to be the city’s mandate as it follows a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) order to remove any obstructions from sidewalks and roadsides for public use.

In the case of e-trikes, the drive complies with a 2020 City Ordinance that prohibits their passage on national roads and highways. It also requires owners to register their e-trikes with the city. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News