The pilot study for motorcycle taxis should continue, the Department of Transportation's Technical Working Group (DOTr-TWG) urged the House Committee on Transportation.

While the pilot should have ended in 2021, many issues, like multi-homing and liabilities, still need to be addressed, according to the group.

And a transition period is vital to ensure the study will be properly implemented, said Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief and TWG Vice Chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza.

In a recent House hearing, SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta questioned why the MC Taxi Pilot Study is still ongoing.

Furthermore, he wanted to know why the DOTr-TWG limits participation to just three players - Angkas, Move It, and Joy Ride and seeks clarification in the increase in rider allocation.

The MC Taxi Pilot study, which started in 2019, was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic and resumed in 2020, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and TWG Chair Teofilo Guadiz explained.

Its purpose is to provide recommendations on safety, security, franchising, regulatory procedures and law enforcement issues. 

Only the House of Representatives can terminate the MC Taxi Pilot Study, Guadiz pointed out.

But “If your pilot study is already terminated, why don't you submit a report to us?" queried House Committee on Transportation Chair and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop.

The TWG should submit a report confirming the conclusion of the pilot study to the House, rather than seeking legislative authority  he asserted.

"You stated that the pilot study should have ended in 2021. What are you doing? You are abrogating to yourself the power of Congress to provide franchises,” Acop maintained.

In the meantime, the TWG should refrain from admitting new players to the MC Taxi Pilot Study until existing issues are resolved, PBA Partylist Representative Atty. Migs Nograles proposed.

The solon questioned whether MC taxis should be classified as public or private utility vehicles to determine liability. 

In addition, the current memorandum circular should be amended to uphold a higher level of diligence, especially before considering expansion. 

“How do we address these issues now if we want to expand? The guidelines do not have the due diligence required," says Nograles.

"I suggest we amend the existing memorandum circular but amend it to make it extraordinarily diligent. We shouldn't add more players while we haven't fixed it to avoid accidents," Nograles stressed.

Ariel Lim, President of the National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (NACTODAP) also said that new player entry should be suspended but if the TWG increases rider allocation, it should be outside Metro Manila.

Already, the growing number of riders in Metro Manila negatively affects tricycle drivers' livelihoods, he lamented.

“Don't add more riders in Metro Manila. It's killing our livelihood. We're not opposed to MC taxis, but their numbers should be capped here. The TWG should allow MC taxis outside Metro Manila instead,” Lim argued.

Following the hearing, the TWG will present recommendations on the extension of the MC Taxi Pilot study, multi-homing, rider cap allocation, entry of new players, liabilities, and more. 

The House expects this comprehensive report within 45 days.