MMDA eyes canceling tickets, returning impounded e-bikes

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said it is planning to cancel the tickets and return the impounded vehicles of violators of the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes.

This comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered a grace period on the ban on select electric vehicles on national roads.

Marcos gave the order days after the ban was already being implemented on around 20 national roads in Metro Manila by the MMDA.

“Pinag-aaralan po natin na gawing retroactive yung kaniyang ditektiba o utos,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said in a press conference.

(We are studying if we can make the directive retroactive.)

“Pero kailangan lamang po naming aralin yung mechanics dahil naka-issue na kami ng ticket dito at may proseso po yung pagre-release ng mga impounded vehicle,” he added.

(But we just need to study the mechanics because we have already issued a ticket and there is a process for releasing impounded vehicles.)

As of Wednesday, the MMDA said 201 motorists were apprehended and 69 vehicles were impounded due to the violation of the ban.

Marcos said he ordered the MMDA and Metro Manila local government units to provide leeway for e-bikes, e-trikes, and other affected vehicles that continue to ply national roads of Metro Manila.

He did not provide a timeline for the grace period.

“Ang sakop ng grace period ay hindi pag-ticket, pag-multa, at pag-impound ng mga e-trike,” Marcos said.

(The grace period covers no ticketing, fines, and impound of e-trikes.)

Several commuter and transport groups previously said the ban was anti-poor.

“These affordable EVs are basically cars for the masses. It’s their personal vehicle to purchase groceries, for hospital visits, as their mobility device, to bring kids to school, etc.,” said  Manila Bike Commuter’s Janardan das Ladyong.

“By banning e-trikes and e-bikes, MMDA and the MMC (Metro Manila Council) are basically telling these marginalized sectors to aspire to get a car instead,” he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News