ILOILO City government eyes to regulate the utilization of the Electronic Bikes (E-Bikes).
Due to the sudden influx of E-Bikes in the city, pedicab and tricycle drivers protests against the existence of the vehicle as it lacks permits while, it is currently used freely by numerous people.
According to Councilor Plaridel Nava during the regular City Council session on Tuesday, February 26, E-Bikes have the same route with the pedicabs and tricycles with a continuous operation even without plate numbers, permits and stickers.
“Ini ya ang E-Bike, all of a sudden, nagtuhaw (show-up) lang sa siyudad (city). Waay sila ya plaka,” Nava said.
Nava stressed that it will be difficult to identify the suspect on a traffic accident since the vehicle has no permit and plate numbers for the ownership.
In connection to the argument, E-Bike drivers requested to have a dialogue with the City Council on February 1 to discuss the problems and conflicts.
On the other hand, Mayor Jose Espinosa III expressed a positive response on the on the usage of the E-Bikes in the city.
“It’s a new territory kag ginatan-aw ‘ta man kay subong (we are presently looking through it) may mga iban naman naka-invest nman dira,” he said.
Espinosa points out that it is now an instrument of livelihood for the public, however, he will also support the City Council’s plan to regulate the E-Bikes.
“Basta sa pumuluyo, I will support kag always for the greater good sang kadam-an kag kinahanglan (many and needed) i-regulate ta lang kag maka-bulig (can help) man lang makabutang sang pagkaon (place a food) sa lamesa sang pamilya, why not?” he added.
He claimed that the E-Bike drivers should be given an “understanding” similarly to pedicab drivers, not to hamper their livelihood.
“Ako, I’m willing to consider them as trisikad (pedicab) basta may permit lang sa siyudad (city) kag kung pinakabarato kag pinakahapos nga kwaan (cheapest and easiest to acquire) sang permits basta ma-regularized kag mag-legal sila, okay gid sa akon,” Espinosa said. (SunStar Philippines)