The Battle With Philippine Administrative Order AHS-2008-015

Few months ago, the Philippine motorcycling community went into commotion when the controversial Administrative Order/AO AHS-2008-015 surfaced out, with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as its main proponent. The AO AHS-2008-015, dubbed as the “RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE USE AND OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES ON HIGHWAYS”, in general states that no modification shall be made to motorcycles or scooters unless approved by the LTO and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Whereby, the 2 wheels riding public of the Philippines, spearheaded by the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) came out to parade a series of appeals to reconsider AO AHS-2008-015. Aside from being too impractical, the said AO did not go through any consultations with the motorcycling community.

Following this was a workshop between the MRO and LTO, wherein a not-so-palatable incident happened. Then on September 26, the MRO led a massive information campaign/drive concerning the issues pertaining to AO AHS-2008-015. There was media coverage where some issues and concerns were raised successfully. Then, a relief came up when the LTO agreed to re-open its door and sit down for the next round of discussion. Some minute details covered in the AO AHS-2008-015 concerning motorcycling and motorcycles/scooters were dissected one by one.

Guess what came up next! A memo to amend the LTO's AO AHS-2008-015. This was achieved through series of consultations between the AO proponents and the motorcycling community. The general population of 2 wheel riders, motorcycle/biker/scooter communities, as well as virtual groups in the motorcyclephilippines.com were also among the big components that played crucial role in the achievement of this success.

Awesome job MRO and long live the bikers!

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