Manila to use electric scooters vs crime

The Manila city government has acquired 125 electric scooters equipped with rechargeable batteries from China as part of the city’s efforts to beef up its campaign on crime, specifically in popular night spots.

The scooters, estimated to be worth a total of P3.2 million, started arriving at the city hall last Friday. Atienza said he expects all the units to be delivered by weekend.

"Unlike most scooters that run by gasoline and contribute to the air pollution problem, these scooters are special because they are electric and their batteries can be recharged," said Atienza.

The scooters cost the city government P25,000 each while branded scooters available on the market are sold between P36,500 to P130,000.

They would be used by peace and order personnel patrolling Malate, Ermita, Baywalk, Plaza Miranda, Plaza Binondo, the University Belt and other nightspots.

The scooters are capable of weaving through narrow spaces such as alleys, which police and authorities would find useful in chasing criminals along Manila’s narrow streets.

The vehicles will be divided among the city government’s civilian traffic aides, Manila District Traffic Management Office, the Special Operations Group-Manila Police District, and barangay peacekeepers in trouble-prone neighborhoods.

Some of the scooters might also be used in tomorrow’s 400th anniversary celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Quiapo Church, formally known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

"We would be providing motorized security to the procession on Monday, when the image of the Black Nazarene would be taken from the Quiapo Church to the Luneta Grandstand for an overnight vigil and on Tuesday during the procession around the Quiapo area," Atienza said.

Beginning today, Filipino Roman Catholics will commemorate the 1606 arrival of the Black Nazarene to the Philippines. "This is expected to be a banner year. The committee is expecting a crowd of 200,000 devotees to participate, " Atienza said. The procession could last up to five hours.

The city government has been cleaning up and making repairs in Quiapo. Workers laid asphalt over potholes and openings caused by illegal water connections, removed obstructions and cleaned the drainage along the streets where the procession is expected to pass.