The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday reported that motorcycles traversing EDSA continue to rise with a whopping 58.79 percent jump in May compared to the pre-pandemic period.
MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes made the disclosure during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the temporary utilization of the Motorcycle Riding Academy site in Pasig City.
According to the latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, as of May 22, there are 174,934 motorcycles traversing EDSA from the 110,167 motorcycles plying the highway during pre-pandemic period.
Meanwhile, the MMDA thanked the GSIS for letting them use the property.
“We are very grateful to the GSIS management for giving us the chance to fully realize the Motorcycle Riding Academy together with our other partners such as Honda Motorcycle Philippines and Watanabe Riding Development headed by coach Dashi Watanabe. Both gave technical assistance for the Academy,” Artes said during the signing of the MOA with GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Velos.
The MOA will allow the MMDA to use the 5,977-square-meter vacant lot property of GSIS located at Doña Julia Vargas corner Meralco Ave., Barangay Ugong for a one-year period.
Under the accord, the MMDA shall clear the property of all impounded vehicles and will construct, renovate, and improve the site for the establishment of the Motorcycle Riding Academy, including the cost of maintenance and security services, which will generate P1 million worth of savings for the GSIS.
Veloso, for his part, said that the GSIS wholeheartedly supports the MMDA in this initiative, which will provide riders basic training on handling motorcycles and following road and traffic rules.
“We are optimistic that the Motorcycle Riding Academy will encourage responsible driving and road safety, among riders,” he said.
Veloso added that the GSIS is likewise ready to assist the MMDA in other areas of cooperation, such as providing comprehensive insurance for its field personnel.
The MMDA is also in talks with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) so certificates to be issued by the Academy can be used in obtaining a driver’s license.
The agency is also in coordination with motorcycle ride-hailing services such as Grab and Angkas for priority employment of participants who will finish the course.
The Motorcycle Riding Academy, set to open within the third quarter of this year, will provide riders formal training on both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding as well as basic emergency response training.
It will be open to all interested participants for free and they will be given certificates upon completion of lectures, practical application, and Basic Emergency Response Course.
Image credits: Roy Domingo