The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the temporary use of its property in Pasig City in connection with the MMDA’s Motorcycle Riding Academy program.
GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso gave MMDA chairman Don Artes the go signal to use for one year the 5,977-square meter vacant lot property of GSIS at the corner of Doña Julia Vargas and Meralco Avenue in Barangay Ugong.
The agreement stated that 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 P 1 million worth of savings for the GSIS.
“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.
As of May 22, 2023, there are 174,934 motorcycles traversing Epifanio de los Santos Avenue – a 58.79% increase from the 110,167 motorcycles plying the highway during pre-pandemic period.
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 the 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.