By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento cautioned on Sunday the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Technical Working Group (TWG) against limiting the number of motorcycle taxis operating in Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized areas, saying that it would make the commuting public suffer more.
Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento
(Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento Facebook page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation called on the DOTr-TWG to "consider public welfare first" before limiting the Angkas drivers to 10,000 from the current 27,000.
"Ang concern ko talaga napaka-simple. Pag pinigil po natin ito eh ang magrereklamo po ay ang mamamayan.Hirap po ang mamamayan. Apat na oras sila nakatengga sa bus, sa umaga pa lang, pag-uwi naman apat na naman na oras dahil nga congested na congested ang kalsada natin,"Sarmiento said in a radio interview.
(My concern is very simple. If we stop this, the people will complain. They will suffer. They have been on a bus for four hours, in the morning, then another four hours going home because our roads are too congested.)
He expressed concern that limiting the number of motorcycle taxis under Angkas would render thousands of its riders economically dislocated, and would certainly deny commuters a well-tested alternative transport, amid the worsening traffic woes in Metro Manila.
"Habang di pa po naisasaayos ang efficiency ng mass transport, kelangan muna natin ang support ng isang industriya, isang sektor kung saan tinutulungan po nila ang mamamayan na umabot naman sila sa pinupuntahan nila sa madaling panahon. Eh hindi natin mapipigil ito dahil ang magrereklamo po dito ay ang mamamayan at mananakay," Sarmiento said.
(While the efficiency of mass transport system is being improved, we need the support of one industry, a sector who helps transport our people to their immediate destination. We cannot stop this because our people and our commuters will definitely complain.)
Sarmiento said it would be better for the government to maintain the status quo in the case of Angkas, while still allowing other operators to come in.
He proposed that the new players should go through the same process of accreditation before they are allowed to conditionally operate to ensure public safety.
"I do believe that kung meron sanang bagong produkto, dapat ay pumapasa ka muna sa lahat ng reglamento ..kung hindi naman ay syempre magkakaroon ng trial pediod kagaya ng ginawa po ng Department of Transportation kung saan pinahintulutan sila (Angkas) for six months," the House leader said.
(I do believe that if there's a new product, it should pass all the regulations... if not, there will a trial period, just like what the Department of Transportation did to Angkas for six months.)
"Ang sa akin lang naman, bakit mo ibababa ang numero ng isa at ibibigay mo rito sa dalawa? Kasi sa akin ay hindi ito dapat na overnight ay magkakaroon agad ng applicant at pahihintulutan mo silang tumakbo sa kalsada kung gusto mo talaga ng safety," Sarmiento noted.
(To me, why are you limiting the number of one motorcycle-hailing company just to accommodate two new players? To me, this should not be overnight that you will have an applicant and allow them to operate if you really want to ensure public safety.)
He said the two new players should also observe the proper hiring and training process to ensure public safety.
"Ang direksiyon sana natin ay ilagay natin ang lahat sa tama, epektibo at makakatulong sa mamamayan," he stressed.
(Our direction is to make everything proper, effective, and beneficial for our people.)
Sarmiento vowed that his panel would prioritize the deliberations of at least 15 pending measures that are related to the operation of motorcycle taxis.
He said after the government puts in place a safe, predictable and efficient mass transport system, the two-wheeled public transportation should be eventually scrapped.