MMDA’s Motorcycle Riding Academy to Open in Pasig in Q3

MANILA: A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the temporary use of the Motorcycle Riding Academy site in Pasig City was signed on Wednesday by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

GSIS's 5,977-square-meter vacant lot property at Doña Julia Vargas Avenue corner Meralco Avenue in Barangay Ugong will be used by the MMDA for a year.

According to the agreement, the MMDA will build and renovate the establishment for the Motorcycle Riding Academy, as well as pay for maintenance and security services, saving the GSIS P1 million.

MMDA Acting Chairman Artes expressed his gratitude to the GSIS for the partnership.

“We are very grateful to the GSIS management for giving us the chance to fully realize the Motorcycle Riding Academy together with our other partners such as Honda Motorcycle Philippines and Watanabe Riding Development headed by coach Dashi Watanabe. Both gave technical assistance for the academy,” he stated.

According to the latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, there are 174,934 motorcycles traveling along EDSA, up from 110,167 motorcycles during the pre-pandemic era.

For his part, GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso said that the agency supports the MMDA in establishing a program that offers riders fundamental training on operating motorcycles and adhering to traffic rules.

“We are optimistic that the Motorcycle Riding Academy will encourage responsible driving and road safety among riders,” he stated.

Veloso added that the GSIS is willing to help the MMDA in other areas of collaboration, such as providing comprehensive insurance for its field personnel.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is being consulted by the MMDA for the certificates that the academy will be issuing to be used in application for a driver's license.

Furthermore, the MMDA works closely with motorcycle ride-hailing companies like Grab and Angkas to provide priority employment to those who will complete the course.

The Motorcycle Riding Academy, which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2023, will offer riders formal training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding as well as in basic emergency response.

The training will be open to the public for free. Certificates will be given upon completion of the lectures, practical application, and basic emergency response course.

Photos from Government Service Insurance System Facebook page and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Facebook page

Also read:

8 tips on buying your first motorcycle

Top 5 beginner-friendly scooters

How to avoid common motorcycle accidents