THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking into the possibility of canceling the tickets of violators of the ban on e-bikes, e-trikes, and returning them, as well as returning these impounded electric vehicles to their owners.MMDA's move came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the agency to grant a grace period for the implementation of the ban on select electric vehicles plying national roads.A few days prior to the President's order, the MMDA had been implementing the ban on 20 national roads in Metro Manila.'Pinag-aaralan po natin na gawing retroactive 'yung kaniyang direktiba o utos,' MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.'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.MMDA data showed that as of Thursday, 201 motorists were apprehended, and 69 vehicles impounded for violating the ban.But President Marcos had ordered the MMDA and Metro Manila local government units to first provide leeway for e-bikes, e-trikes, and other affected vehicles.Artes said that Marcos' directive is good for one-month, good enough grace period to inform the public of the prohibition on e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, push carts, and 'kuliglig' from traversing national roads in Metro Manila.He added that they received the President's directive on Thursday morning to partially suspend the implementation 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,' he said.'Ang sakop ng grace period ay hindi pag-ticket, pag-multa, at pag-impound ng mga e-trike,' Marcos said.Earlier several commuter and transport groups said that 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.
