The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the temporary use of the Motorcycle Riding Academy site in Pasig City.
MMDA acting chair Don Artes and GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso led the MOA signing, allowing the MMDA to use the 5,977-square-meter vacant lot property of GSIS located at Doña Julia Vargas corner Meralco Ave., Barangay Ugong for a one-year period, according to a news release.
Under the accord, the MMDA 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 PHP1 million worth of savings for the GSIS.
Artes thanked the GSIS for the partnership.
“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.
Latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center as of May 22 show that there are 174,934 motorcycles traversing EDSA – a 58.79 percent increase from the 110,167 motorcycles plying the highway during pre-pandemic period.
Veloso, for his part, said the GSIS supports the MMDA in this initiative that provides 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 the GSIS is 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 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.
Set to open within the third quarter of this 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.
It will be open to all interested participants for free. They will be given certificates upon completion of lectures, practical application, and basic emergency response course. (PNA)
