You are here: Programs & Services / LGMED PPAs / Monitoring LGU Compliance to DILG Issuances and National Directives  (Archived)

Monitoring of Bajaj or Baobao Operation

Background

2015 the Bajaj RE, locally known as “bao-bao” was introduced to the Philippine market as an alternative for commuters and entrepreneurs, which accordingly provides better performance, safety and practicality. The influx of “bao-bao” (almost 30,000 as of 2019)  operating in national, secondary, provincial, city, and municipal roads caused much concerns for traffic/law enforcers, local government officials and some citizens  

On September 9, 2018, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued the Memorandum Circular 2018-2148, stating that the Bajaj RE, and the like, shall be classified as “motorcycle-tricycle,” thereby prohibiting the vehicle to operate on national highways as prescribed in the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-036.

After thorough research and consultations, LTO issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-2227 on November 20, 2020, entitled: “Classification, Registration and Operation of Category of L5 (Symmetrically arranged Three-Wheeled), L6 (Light Quadricycle)  and L7 (Heavy Quadricycle) Motorcycles”. The said MC also states that:  operation of these vehicles along secondary national highways may be allowed if there is no alternate route designated by Local Government Units (LGUs) and shall take the outermost lane or the rightmost portion of the road. The issuance also provides that the LGUs in relation to its  traffic management, have the power to prohibit or allow operation of these vehicles along roads within their jurisdiction.

Legal Bases / References

• RPOC Resolution 22 Series of 2023 URGING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF BAJAJ RE OR THE “BAO-BAO” IN THE CRAFTING, UPDATING AND REVIEW OF THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTE PLAN (LPTRP), AND TO ENACT CORRESPONDING ORDINANCE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION 

• LTO MC 2020-2227 on November 20, 2020, entitled: “Classification, Registration and Operation of Category of L5 (Symmetrically arranged Three-Wheeled), L6 (Light Quadricycle)  and L7 (Heavy Quadricycle) Motorcycles”

• MC 2020 - 036 Prohibiting Tricycles, Pedicabs, and Motorized Pedicabs from Operating on National Highways