MANILA: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has temporarily halted levying penalties against electric bikes (e-bikes), electric tricycles (e-trikes), and other light vehicles users utilizing major roads of Metro Manila.

The agency decided to stop fining violators — which included traditional gasoline-powered tricycles, pedicabs, push carts, and kuligligs — after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the partial suspension of the MMDA Regulation 24-002 Series of 2024.

“Our president is a compassionate leader, and he is sensitive to the sentiments of the public, as some of the violators claimed that they were not aware of the regulation, do not know the alternative routes, and have not yet adjusted their routine in the use of their electric bikes,” MMDA Acting Chairman Attorney Romando Artes said.

Due to the President’s order, the MMDA will now have to study how to go about the cancellation of citation tickets issued to 290 violators and the return of 69 impounded vehicles from April 17 until the suspension of the issuance of tickets.

“We will find a way to make the directive of the President retroactive,” Artes noted.

While the President’s order for a grace period is still in effect, the MMDA will flag down violators but will not issue tickets and the vehicles will not be impounded. Instead, they will be informed of the regulation and advised about alternate roads they can use.

“We will strengthen the widest dissemination of information through the media, social media platforms, and all other mediums of the local government units,” Artes stated.

The focus now will be informing the public on the alternative routes for light vehicles — as they are prohibited from using national roads, circumferential roads, and radial roads — instead of enforcing the said mandate.

“We will meet with the LGUs' traffic officials for the identification of alternate routes in Metro Manila,” said the MMDA boss.

Before the grace period ends, Artes said they will submit a report and make necessary recommendations to the President.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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