Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Friday that it will begin apprehending and impounding e-bikes and e-trikes traveling along national highways starting December 1, but a lawmaker said this rule lacks legal basis. </p><p>According to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, the agency is pushing through with the policy despite expected public backlash, stressing that road safety remains the agency’s top priority.</p><p>“Naiinitndihan natin na marami tayong kababayan na magagalit pero ang ating priority dito &#x27;yung ating seguridad &#x27;yung ating safety sa kalye na hindi sila maaksidente,” Lacanilao said.</p><p>&quot;Pinagbabawal naman talaga nila &#x27;yan, di lang nae-enforce. So ngayon, i-e-enforce namin &#x27;yan,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/27/e-bikes-e-trikes-banned-on-main-roads-from-december-1-1806">E-bikes, e-trikes banned on main roads from December 1</a></div><p>The prohibition includes major national roads such as MacArthur Highway, Maharlika Highway, EDSA, and A. Bonifacio, among other national routes.</p><p>E-bike and e-trike users traveling on secondary roads will receive warnings during a five-day information drive. </p><p>After this period, the LTO will begin full enforcement and issue apprehensions there as well.</p><p>“At least ang LGU, magkaroon ng time &#x27;yung LGU na mainform yung mga area nila kaya bigyan natin sila ng time,” he added.</p><p>The LTO is also reparing to revive its process for registering electric vehicles which will be released to the public within this week.</p><p>&quot;Yes ready ang LTO na maregister sila. Bubuhayin lang &#x27;yung old admin order pero hindi lahat pwdeng i-rehistro. Di lahat ng e-bikes capable magamit ng public,&quot; Lacanilao said.</p><p>He added that under RA 4136, all motor vehicles using public roads in the Philippines must be registered with the LTO, and that e-bikes and e-trikes fall under this definition.</p><p>MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the agency will fully support the LTO in implementing the policy on Metro Manila’s major roads.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/11/mmda-e-bikes-e-trikes-banned-on-national-roads-starting-april-15-2026">MMDA: E-bikes, e-trikes banned on national roads starting April 15</a></div><p>&quot;Matataandaan about a year ago meron nang kautusan ang DILG diyan at &#x27;yan po ay sinusugan ng Metro Manila Council na pinagbabawal po talaga yung electric vehicles na ganyan sa major thoroughfares,” Artes said.</p><p>&quot;Kung e-expand ng LTO ang kanilang kautusan, kami po ay makikipag coordinate at tutulong sa implementasyon ng regulasyon na &#x27;yan,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/10/16/lto-suspends-registration-of-e-trikes-e-bikes-e-scooters-630">LTO suspends registration of light electric vehicles, licensing of users</a></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>&#x27;NO LEGAL BASIS&#x27;</strong></div><p><strong></strong>Meanwhile, House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Terry Ridon questioned the legal basis of LTO&#x27;s rule of impounding e-bikes and e-trikes using national highways.</p><div><strong></strong></div><p>He said the LTO cannot use Section 73 of DOTC–LTO Memorandum Circular 89-105 as the basis, since it can&#x27;t supposedly override the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law) — a national law — which he stressed &quot;clearly provides that LEVs intended for exclusive private use are not required to register with the DOTr and its attached agencies, including the LTO.&quot;</p><p>&quot;In other words, the LTO cannot use DOTC–LTO Memorandum Circular 89-105 as the basis for impounding privately used LEVs, because these vehicles are not required to be registered with the LTO in the first place. A memorandum circular cannot override a later, specific national law,&quot; he explained in a release.</p><p>&quot;Furthermore, there is no legal basis to apprehend and impound LEVs using major national thoroughfares, including national roads identified by the MMDA, because the EVIDA Law itself allows LEVs, whether privately used or for-hire, to use all major local and national roads. EVIDA mandates the creation of segregated lanes for LEVs, or their integration into bicycle lanes, along such routes,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/5/16/e-motorcycles-e-bikes-now-also-zero-tariff-until-2028-as-ph-eyes-ev-shift-1216https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/5/16/e-motorcycles-e-bikes-now-also-zero-tariff-until-2028-as-ph-eyes-ev-shift-1216">E-motorcycles, e-bikes now also zero tariff until 2028 as PH eyes EV shift</a></div><p>The December 1 deadline came up after Sen. Raffy Tulfo said that he has received several complaints about e-bikes. </p><p>While acknowledging that e-vehicles help Filipinos earn a living, the senator also noted some problems that could arise since it remains unregulated and unregistered to the LTO.</p><p>Ridon clarified that for-hire e-vehicles should be registered with the DOTr, its partner agencies, and the local government units (LGUs), but he said there should be a &quot;clear distinction&quot; for LEVs used for exclusive private use alone, saying &quot;EVIDA expressly exempts [the latter] from registration.&quot;</p><p>Ridon also emphasized how e-bikes and e-tricycles made travel easier and cheaper for common Filipino families.</p><p>&quot;Dahil sa mga e-trike at e-bikes, nakakapaghatid-sundo ang mga nanay sa mga paaralan ng kanilang mga anak, nakakabisita ang mga lola sa simbahan, at nakakapamili ang mga pamilya sa mga palengke nang hindi gumagastos nang malaki para sa pamasahe. Para sa mga tulad nila ang patakarang ito, kaya’t walang batayan para kunin ng DOTr, LTO o MMDA ang mga sasakyang gamit nila sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;If there are concerns about the livelihood of other transport sectors as a result of broad LEV adoption, the proper remedy is to review and reform their entire business and pricing model. What broad LEV adoption has dismantled is the price monopoly long enjoyed by other transport modes in our communities,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/30/marcos-wants-to-expedite-inclusion-of-e-vehicles-into-public-transportation-1713">Marcos wants to include e-vehicles in public transportation sooner</a></div><p>Ridon called on the DOTr, LTO, and MMDA to stop their plan of impounding e-vehicles and review instead the policies to ensure the drivers&#x27; compliance with the EVIDA law.</p><p>&quot;We will hold these agencies accountable, through the appropriate congressional proceedings, for any overreach against private-use LEV users,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Friday that it will begin apprehending and impounding e-bikes and e-trikes traveling along national highways starting December 1, but a lawmaker said this rule lacks legal basis</p>

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Friday that it will begin apprehending and impounding e-bikes and e-trikes traveling along national highways starting December 1, but a lawmaker said this rule lacks legal basis

LTO to apprehend e-bikes, e-trikes on national highways starting Dec. 1

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LTO to apprehend e-bikes, e-trikes on national highways starting Dec. 1

Izzy Lee,

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 28, 2025 04:04 PM PHT

|

Updated November 28, 2025 05:35 PM PHT

Read More:

E-vehicles

LTO

Land Transportation Office

MMDA

E-tricycle

E-bike

EVIDA Law

Terry Ridon

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