The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been rolling out efforts to make roads safer for motorcyclists. The latest initiative from the government agency is the Motorcycle Riding Academy program, which will be opened within the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.
From left to right: Romando Artes, Jose Arnulfo Veloso
The program is made possible thanks to the temporary utilization of the 5,977 sqm vacant lot property of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Under a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the agency can use the site to provide formal training to riders for a year.
“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,” said MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes.
As the program’s name suggests, the MMDA will offer theoretical and practical training to participants regarding motorcycle riding. Similar to the program for Angkas and Joyride riders launched last year, the Motorcycle Riding Academy program will also provide basic emergency response training.
This will generate P1M worth of savings for the GSIS from maintenance and security services
This is a timely program considering the significant increase in motorcyclists plying the EDSA. According to the latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, as of May 22, 174,934 motorcycles were traversing EDSA, a 58.79 percent increase over the pre-pandemic period.
To encourage more Filipinos to join the program, the MMDA is in talks with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to allow the completion certifications to be used when obtaining a driver’s license. The agency is also coordinating with Grab and Angkas to prioritize those who completed the course in the employment process.
The Academy will start in Q3 2023
Of note, the Motorcycle Riding Academy program is open to all interested individuals for free.
“We are optimistic that the Motorcycle Riding Academy will encourage responsible driving and road safety among riders,” said GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso.
The newly-acquired lot is located at Doña Julia Vargas corner Meralco Avenue, Barangay Ugong.
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