MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — A proposed ordinance seeks to establish a legal framework for regulating electric tricycles, or e-trikes, in Mandaue City, allowing qualified units to obtain Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permits (MTOPs) under the city’s transport modernization program.
Ordinance aims to integrate e-trikes into public transport
The measure, proposed by Councilor Carlo Fortuna, chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances, sets standards for e-trike operation and provides policy support for charging infrastructure. Under existing laws, cities and municipalities have the authority to issue MTOPs, which authorize tricycles-for-hire to operate within their jurisdiction.
Fortuna said the proposed ordinance would enable the City Government, through the Mandaue Tricycle Franchising Board, to issue MTOPs to qualified e-trike operators while encouraging drivers to replace fuel-powered units with electric vehicles.
“We are proposing an ordinance that will formally regulate e-trikes and grant them legal franchises to operate smoothly,” Fortuna said.
Shift to electric units to reduce operating costs
The proposal aims to reduce operating costs for tricycle drivers as fuel prices continue to rise. With retail fuel prices hovering around P60 per liter, Fortuna said many operators are finding it harder to earn a profit. He noted that electric vehicles cost less to operate, allowing drivers to lower daily expenses while charging fares comparable to those of conventional tricycles.
Qualifications for e-trike permits
The proposed ordinance limits eligibility for MTOPs to heavy-duty, high-capacity e-trikes classified by the Land Transportation Office as L3 and L4 vehicles. Fortuna said these commercial units are distinct from smaller electric bicycles and personal mobility devices that have been impounded by local traffic enforcers for failing to comply with safety standards. The qualified e-trikes are built to carry four to five passengers and meet technical requirements for public transport.
The measure would also allow existing tricycle franchise holders to replace their conventional units with electric vehicles while accepting applications from new operators. If approved, the Mandaue Tricycle Franchising Board would administer the issuance, renewal, and regulation of MTOPs.
Charging facilities to support e-trike fleet
The measure calls for the establishment of charging infrastructure to support the city’s planned electric tricycle fleet. Fortuna said the City Government plans to coordinate with the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue and the City Planning and Development Office to establish public utility terminals equipped with standardized charging stations.
He said the city is studying solar-powered charging facilities similar to those developed by researchers at the University of the Philippines. The proposed system would use coin-operated charging stations, with the city exploring partnerships with private companies or seeking support from the Provincial Government.
Route deployment and integration
Although some e-trikes already operate in parts of Mandaue, including interior areas of Barangay Paknaan, Fortuna said they are not yet integrated into the city’s public transport network. The councilor said the City Government plans to deploy e-trikes on local commuter routes to improve transport services without increasing congestion on major roads.
“Our goal is to seamlessly modernize our transport sector without disrupting the flow of city traffic,” Fortuna said. / ABC
