With 189 members voting in the affirmative and 0 negative, the House of Representatives on Monday, Jan. 31 approved on final reading a bill authorizing the operations of motorcycles as common carriers for the transport of passengers and goods.
House Bill 10571 or the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act” consolidated 19 various legislative proposals that seek to finally legalize the operations of motorcycles for public utility.
The bill defines a motorcycle-for-hire (MFH) as a duly registered motorcycle that will be used to carry passengers or goods on a for hire basis, offering its services to the public.
Among the principal authors of the consolidated bill are Deputy Speakers Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Ferdinand Hernandez (2nd District, South Cotabato) together with Reps. Rodrigo Abellanosa (2nd District, Cebu); Luis Campos Jr. (2nd District, Makati City); Edgar Chatto (1st District, Bohol); Cristal Bagatsing (5th District, Manila); Precious Hipolito Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) and Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City.
Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District Samar), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, lauded the unanimous approval of HB 10571 which will now be transmitted to the Senate for its action.
The bill acknowledges the operations of transportation network companies (TNC) or on-line e commerce platform providers (OEPP) and directs them to exercise “due diligence and reasonable care in accrediting motorcycle-for hire operators and drivers under their respective platforms.
Authors of the bill made it a provision to allow maximized operation of MFH, thus, allows them not to be bound by a single TNC or OEPP. They will be allowed to adopt a multi-homing approach within a particular area of operations under the given franchise.
TNCs and OEPPs are also required to establish a quick response mechanism to provide immediate medical care or to bring any person injured by the operation of booked MFH tot he nearest hospital or medical facility.
HB 10571 designates the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in coordination with local government units, the authority to issue franchises for MFH in metropolitan and urban areas.
On the other hand, the Land Transportation Office is directed to ensure the roadworthiness of all MFG before they approval of their registration or renewal of registration.
The LTO will deputize LGUs and other relevant government agencies to assist in the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations and to ensure the strict compliance to the provision of the MFH ACt.
Requirements have also been set for the grant of a franchise or issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience for the operation of MFH.