MANILA, Philippines – Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Markus Lacanilao said he is prepared to face public backlash over the agency’s crackdown on electronic bikes and tricycles (e-bikes, e-trikes) plying major roads, stressing that safety—not popularity—is his priority.

“We understand that many of our countrymen will be angry, but our priority here is their safety and security—that they will not meet accidents,” Lacanilao said in Filipino during a press conference on Friday, November 29.

“It’s okay if you get angry with me. What matters is that your children and spouse get home safely.”

Lacanilao issued the remarks after announcing that beginning Monday, December 1, e-bikes and e-trikes caught operating on national highways will be immediately impounded.

Many of these vehicles, he noted, are not authorized to run on major roads and their riders often do not carry driver’s licenses.

LTO: Registration Possible, But Not For All

When asked about data on e-vehicle-related accidents, Lacanilao confirmed they exist. “Yes, we will provide data on that. The Philippine National Police also has nationwide records of accidents involving e-bikes,” he said.

The LTO is ready to begin registering e-vehicles, Lacanilao said, but stressed that not every unit will qualify.

“The old administrative order will just be revived. But not everything can be registered because of safety concerns,” he explained. “Not all e-bikes are capable of being used by the public safely.”

Info Drive First On Secondary Roads

While the government will begin impounding e-vehicles on national highways on Monday, Lacanilao clarified that the same will not yet apply to secondary roads.

Instead, the LTO will conduct a five-day information drive to educate riders about the risks of using e-bikes and e-trikes on main roads.

“If your e-vehicle is running on a secondary road, inform them that ‘that is no longer allowed,’ as part of the information drive,” he said. The goal, he added, is to prevent accidents by ensuring riders understand the restrictions.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has also suggested that local government units join the effort and conduct their own awareness campaigns.

The LTO has been stepping up its enforcement amid the surge of e-vehicles across the country, many of which are used as an affordable alternative to motorcycles but lack safety features required for highway use.