Local governments across Metro Cebu are preparing to implement policies regulating electric bikes and tricycles following the Department of Transportation's announcement that these vehicles will be prohibited from all major national roads starting December 1, 2025.
National Directive and Local Implementation
During Senate deliberations for the DOTr's 2026 budget on Thursday, November 27, Land Transportation Office Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao confirmed the agency's readiness to begin operations against e-bikes and e-trikes using public roads. Any units involved in road incidents will be automatically impounded under the new enforcement measures.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, while expressing support for the measure, urged the LTO to expedite notifications to local governments through the Department of the Interior and Local Governance to prevent public confusion. Lacanilao additionally confirmed that proper guidelines for e-bike and e-trike registration will be released soon.
A representative from LTO Central Visayas contacted by SunStar Cebu on Friday, November 28, explained that they are still awaiting official orders from the Central Office regarding the directive's implementation.
Metro Cebu Cities' Response
Mandaue City's Stance
In Mandaue City, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue Chief Hyll Retuya stated that the national directive simply reinforces policies already implemented in the city. He revealed that since last year, e-bikes and e-trikes have been banned from major roads within the city under local regulations.
"They use public roads, they should be bound by the same laws enumerated under RA 4136 and the EVIDA Law," Retuya emphasized, referring to the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.
Most traffic enforcers have been deployed to major roads to monitor compliance, while enforcement on inner roads depends on local barangay enforcers. The city previously implemented a total ban on e-bikes on November 26, 2024, due to increasing numbers raising traffic violation and accident concerns, but lifted it after two weeks following driver appeals for regulation instead of prohibition.
Fines range from P500 to P5,000 depending on the violation severity.
Cebu City's Regulations
While Cebu City hasn't implemented a total ban, it enforces regulations under City Ordinance 2531 initiated in 2019—before the LTO issued memoranda on e-vehicle classification. According to Cebu City Transportation Office Deputy Chief Kent Franscesco Jongoy, this ordinance remains the primary basis for their enforcement.
Under CO 2531 requirements:
- E-trikes must register annually with CCTO
- Drivers must obtain barangay endorsement
- Vehicles may only operate on interior routes
- Major road access is prohibited for both personal and commercial use, except with special exemption
Drivers must also possess local permits or CCTO authorization to ensure they understand laws and regulations, even without traditional driver's licenses. Violations including unregistered operation, missing route numbers, or operating on improper routes carry fines of P500 to P1,000, with repeated offenses resulting in vehicle impoundment.
Jongoy noted they've deployed "Traders" units and Mobile Control and Highway Teams to apprehend e-trikes operating outside designated routes, particularly in the city's southern areas. Most e-bikes and e-trikes operate in barangays and interior roads, especially near Carbon Public Market.
He acknowledged that ordinance revisions are needed due to implementation gaps, including dealership and procurement policies.
Driver Perspectives and Livelihood Concerns
Gregorio Abellanosa, an e-trike driver operating near Carbon Public Market, opposes the plan as it threatens his livelihood. He explained he rarely uses major roads and primarily serves passengers from Barangay Ermita. Abellanosa appealed for permission to continue operating on interior barangay roads and expressed willingness to complete all necessary documentation.
Another driver, Jerome Abing, supports restricting e-bikes and e-trikes from major roads to discipline drivers, but conditional on stricter enforcement against illegal parking throughout the city.
The impending national ban represents a significant shift for Metro Cebu's transportation landscape, affecting both commuter patterns and driver livelihoods as the December 1 implementation date approaches.
