Talisay City Council Asks Trader to Stop E-trikes Sale Until City Rules on Franchise

The Talisay City Council has asked a motorcycle trading company to stop the sale of electric tricycles (e-trikes) until the city decides to grant them a franchise.

Earlier, representatives of Racal Motors asked the council to grant franchises to e-trikes.

The council has invited representatives of Racal Motors to give them the chance to answer the complaint of tricycle drivers that their income has been affected by the operation of the e-trikes which operated even without franchises.

Lawyer Jose Kenneth Arbas, who led the representatives of Racal Motors, said e-trikes are good alternative to tricycles as these are environment-friendly.

Arbas said the company is still in process of obtaining aregistration for e-trikes before the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

While this is being done, he hopes that the council would issue a franchise to allow e-trike drivers to earn.

But Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante told Arbas during the session Tuesday the council cannot issue a franchise for e-trike drivers because there is no provision in the City’s Traffic Code that allows them to issue such franchise.

Villarante also said there is a need to hold a consultation with the affected sector before any amendment to an ordinance can be initiated.

Villarante advised Arbas to avoid selling their e-trike units if the purpose is for public use.

The e-trikes found an ally in Talisay City Councilor Valeriano Ylanan who said he is supporting the issuance of franchise for e-trikes, as this could help in the eventual phase out of gas-powered tricycles in Talisay City.

Ylanan is the chairperson of the committee on traffic affairs and the head of the City of Talisay Traffic Operation Development Authority. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS