Stop distribution of e-trikes, firm told

CEBU, Philippines – Representatives from the firm that distributes electronic tricycles (e-trikes) in Talisay City appeared before the City Council yesterday to discuss, among others, the benefits of using such vehicles.

However, the council is not keen on siding with Racal Motor Philippines just yet — at least at the moment.

The council, led by Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, has instead urged the company to stop distributing units in Talisay while waiting for clearance from the Land Transportation Office.

Villarante, a lawyer by profession, said the e-trike is still considered illegal since its distributor failed to secure LTO registration.

He quickly quipped that even if LTO registration has been secured, drivers will still be bound to drive with license.

He said that if used as common carrier, a franchise is likewise required for these e-trikes. If ever, he said the city ordinance still has to be amended to accommodate this type of transportation.

Lawyer Joe Kenneth Arbas, who represented Racal Motors in the council session yesterday, said they are hoping that city officials would help them in processing the legal documents.

He said the e-trike will allow drivers to earn more as it is powered electronically or by charging rather than by gasoline. He said the cost of charging the battery is lesser than the cost to power it with gas.

Because it is battery operated, it does not belch smokes and is therefore friendly to the environment, he said.

Despite these, however, the e-trikes are not a welcome sight in Talisay for the ordinary tricycle drivers. They said the presence of the new vehicles is a threat to their earnings and unfair for them who went the entire legal process of securing necessary permits.

Arbas said they are willing to talk the matter further with the City Council and other stakeholders.

They are also open to letting ordinary tricycle passengers use the e-trikes for them to assess its convenience.

City Councilor Valeriano Ylanan, chairman of Committee on Transportation and the City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority (CT-TODA), said if proven that the e-trike is more beneficial to the city, then he would recommend changing the existing tricycles to e-trikes without subjecting possible drivers to get new franchises.

Around 1,805 tricycle franchises have been issued in the city.

But Villarante has reservations on this proposal, saying e-trikes may worsen the city’s traffic problems. He said there should be a thorough study first before anything is approved.

"Kinahanglan pa ta og public hearing aron mapaminaw sab ang habig sa tanang hingtungdan mga Talisaynon," Villarante said. (FREEMAN)