DAVAO CITY(January 15) — Electric tricycles (e-trikes) remain barred from major roads and national highways in Davao City, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) reiterated, as authorities also stepped up enforcement against noisy, illegally modified motorcycles.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said e-trikes do not meet the licensing and registration standards required to carry passengers on primary roads—unlike motorcycles-for-hire that comply with city and national rules.
“There is still no local ordinance allowing e-trikes to accept passengers or ply national highways and major streets within the city,” Abude said.
He added that if e-trikes are eventually allowed, they would fall under an “unconventional” category and must meet strict safety standards, including a closed cab to protect passengers.
“Right now, they are carrying passengers without a closed cab, so almost everything is a violation,” Abude said.
In a parallel push to improve road safety and neighborhood peace, the Davao City Police destroyed 296 modified mufflers, locally known as bora-bora, and 270 lantakas—improvised exhaust pipes made from tin cans—seized during recent operations.
City Ordinance 0334-12, enacted in 2012, bans modified mufflers on all vehicles due to excessive noise and public safety risks.
Col. Mannan Muarip, acting city police director, said the crackdown will continue, with investigations now focusing on the sources of illegal mufflers to dismantle supply chains.
“Our operations will continue with barangay-level raids and checkpoints to intercept violators and cut off the supply chain,” Muarip said.
He urged motorcycle owners, especially the youth, to voluntarily surrender illegal mufflers to their barangay captains for collection.
Authorities said the twin efforts—keeping unregulated vehicles off major roads and eliminating illegal exhausts—are aimed at safer streets, quieter communities, and stricter compliance with traffic laws citywide.
