Angkas riders (MANILA BULLETIN)

Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte has reiterated the need for Congress to pass a law regulating the operations of motorcycles-for-hire amid the seemingly endless pilot study on them that's being conducted by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In a statement Thursday, July 6, Duterte noted that the LTFRB pilot test on so-called motorcycle taxis is on its fourth year, with no immediate prospect of a conclusion or the release of the agency's recommendations to the public.

“As a result, the number of ‘habal-habal’ rides, or those motorcycles-for-hire operating outside the purview of the  pilot study conducted by the LTFRB, has continued to increase," noted the Mindanaoan.

"Passengers who cannot book through motorcycle-hailing apps authorized by the LTFRB because of the lack of available rides are left with no option but to patronize these illegal habal-habal and compromise their safety,” said Duterte, a former House deputy speaker.

The second-term solon was referring to the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) that the LTFRB formed in 2019 upon the directive of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The  MC Taxi TWG was reconstituted in November last year and continues to oversee the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations by companies like Angkas, Joyride, and Move It.

Duterte said several transport advocacy and consumer groups, such as CitizenWatch Philippines, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente and The Passenger Forum have clamored for the lifting of the limit imposed by the MC Taxi TWG on the number of motorcycle taxis allowed to operate. The current cap is 45,000 participants under the pilot study.

The groups said the lack of affordable, fast, and convenient travel options for commuters have given rise to illegal habal-habal rides, whose riders do not have proper training or insurance coverage to protect themselves and their passengers.

House Bill (HB) No. 4470, which Duterte filed last year with Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list. Edvic Yap, provides the legislation that would legalize and regulate motorcycle taxis. There are at least 14 similar measures filed on the House of Representatives.

“The long-term solution to this valid point raised by transport advocacy groups is a law that will regulate the operations of motorcycles-for-hire. The bills filed for the purpose of regulating this cheap and convenient mode of transportation will also ensure that all riders are properly screened and trained, and will follow the speed limit mandated under the measure to ensure the safety of their passengers,” Duterte said.

Duterte recalled that during the hearing conducted by the House Committee on Transportation last December,  several government agencies, which include the DOTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), LTFRB, and the  Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG),have all expressed their support for the proposed motorcycles-for-hire law.

HB No.4470 requires riders to secure a professional drivers’ license by passing theoretical and practical examinations administered by the LTO specifically for the operation of motorcycles-for-hire. Riders should also attend at least one safety training seminar every year.

The bill also sets the speed limit of motorcycles-for-hire at a maximum of 60 kilometers per hour to ensure the safety of riders and passengers.

The House Committee on Transportation has created a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate and harmonize HB No.4470 with the 14 other similar measures.