Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon is pushing for local regulations governing the use of e-bikes and e-trikes within the city. 

This move comes after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) began enforcing the ban on e-trikes along major Metro Manila roads starting January 2. The affected thoroughfares include Quirino Avenue (Manila), Roxas Boulevard, C-5 Road, and EDSA. 

While the LTO has not given the Muntinlupa City government the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on e-bikes and e-trikes, Biazon said it is important to have a regulation in the city. 

“Gayunpaman, hangarin natin na magkaron ng lokal na regulasyon sa paggamit ng e-trikes at e-bikes. Hindi sila exempted sa basic rules sa kalsada, dahil pareho ang panganib na maaari nilang idulot—sa ibang motorista at sa mismong nagmamaneho—lalo na kung walang sapat na kaalaman sa batas-trapiko (However, we aim to have local regulations on the use of e-trikes and e-bikes. They are not exempt from the basic rules of the road, because they pose the same danger—to other motorists and to the driver himself—especially if he does not have sufficient knowledge of traffic laws),” the mayor posted on Facebook. 

He added, “As I have mentioned before, I have already announced to the City Council our intention to pass an ordinance regarding the use of e-trikes on the roads of Muntinlupa. This is still under study, and we will ensure that there is a clear process of consultation, passage of the ordinance, and development of an IRR before its implementation.” 

Biazon said there is no misunderstanding on the policy with the LTO. 

“Pare-pareho ang layunin natin: kaligtasan at kaayusan sa kalsada. Ang usapin sa ngayon ay ang kakulangan ng malinaw na implementing rules, kaya hindi pa ito ganap na maipatupad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod sa local level (Our goal is the same: safety and order on the roads. The issue right now is the lack of clear implementing rules, so the City Government has not yet been able to fully implement it at the local level).” 

He said, “Paalala po sa lahat ng motorista—e-bike, e-trike, four wheels, ten wheels, o anuman—basta gumagamit ng kalsada, mayroon tayong shared responsibility sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa. Hindi exempted ang sinuman sa pagiging responsable, gaano man karami ang gulong ng minamaneho. Ganito rin po sa ating mga pedestrians: gumamit ng tamang daanan at tawiran, at sumunod sa batas-trapiko upang makaiwas sa aksidente (Reminder to all motorists——e-bike, e-trike, four wheels, ten wheels, or whatever—as long as we use the roads, we have a shared responsibility for the safety of each other. No one is exempt from being responsible, no matter how many tires they drive. The same goes for our pedestrians: use the right lane and crosswalk, and obey traffic laws to avoid accidents).”