MANILA – Clean Air Philippines through its president Dr. Leo Olarte said his group is appealing to the leadership of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the registration of e-bikes during this time of pandemic.
“Nais sana namin na ipasuspende muna ang registration sa e-bike para magamit ng mga laborers at mga empleyado na walang sasakyan,” (We appeal for the temporary suspension of e-bicycle registration so that workers and employees will have something to use because of the lack of transportation), Dr. Olarte said.
In May 2020, the LTO released Administrative Order AO-2006-01 providing for the rules on the registration of e-bikes, also called Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) because of numerous reports of unlicensed drivers driving e-bikes around the country. Those LEVs that are involved in accidents can now be identified and can receive penalties. Unlicensed drivers will also be checked by the LTO.
Dr. Olarte said the Clean Air Philippines has three missions and these are to clean our air, to recover the economy, and to win the war against Covid-19. The organization has a standing plan of providing at least one million e-bicycles in the country which can be used by workers to promote clean air, physical wellness and decongest the metropolis from vehicles that are using fossil fuel.
“Maaring bilhin ng hulogan ang mga e-bikes ng mga kompanya at ipapagamit o babayaran ng kanilang empleyado ang mga ito upang mayroon silang magamit,” (Companies may buy the e-bikes for their employees to use or buy them in installment basis), he said.
Olarte further said they have already coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government to promote biking and the use of e-bikes in the countryside. For the training of bikers, they have contacted the Technical Education Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry for cheaper bicycles and e-bikes, and the Department of Environment of Natural Resources for the promotion of their environment advocacies.
