Construction for MMDA's moto riding academy to start soon

The construction for the temporary Motorcycle Riding Academy in the National Capital Region shall commence soon.

This after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Atty. Romando Artes and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso have officially signed the memorandum of agreement for it.

Under the agreement, the MMDA will be allowed to use for one year the 5,977-square meter vacant lot owned by GSIS at Doña Julia Vargas corner Meralco Avenue, Barangay Ugong in Pasig.

To make way for the construction, renovation, and improvement of the site, the MMDA shall remove the property of impounded vehicles for the establishment of the motorcycle riding academy. The MMDA said that once the improvement work is temporarily turned over to them (which will include the cost of maintenance and security services), the GSIS can enjoy P1 million worth of savings.  

"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, noting that the number of motorcycles on the road are increasing.

Based on the May 22, 2023 data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, a total of 174,934 motorcycles are traversing Epifanio delos Santos Avenue daily — showing a nearly 59-percent rise compared to the 110,167 motorcycles plying the thoroughfare during pre-pandemic period.

For his part, Veloso said that the GSIS wholeheartedly supports the initiative. “We are optimistic that the Motorcycle Riding Academy will encourage responsible driving and road safety among riders,” he said.

He added that the GSIS is also ready to assist the MMDA in other areas of cooperation such as providing comprehensive insurance for its field personnel. 

Relatedly, the MMDA is in talks with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority so the certificates to be issued by the Academy can be used in obtaining a driver's license. The agency is also coordinating with motorcycle ride-hailing services such as Grab and Angkas for priority employment of participants who will finish the course.

Set to open within the third quarter of the year, the Motorcycle Riding Academy, will provide riders formal training on both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding as well as basic emergency response training. All interested participants are welcomed to take the course for free and they will be given certificates upon completion of lectures, practical application, and Basic Emergency Response Course.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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