MC-for-hire regulation pushed
DAVAO City Representative Paolo Duterte reiterated his call for the speedy passage of a law regulating the operations of motorcycles-for-hire.
Duterte said that the pilot study authorized by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the viability and safety of motorcycles-for-hire as a mode of commuter transport has dragged on, continuing on its fourth year in 2023 with no certainty on when this would be concluded and its recommendations released 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. 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,” Duterte said.
Duterte was referring to the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) that was formed in 2019 by the LTFRB 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.
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 cap is currently set by the MC Taxi TWG at 45,000 participants under the pilot study.
The groups said the lack of affordable, fast and convenient travel options, such as these motorcycle taxis, have given rise to illegal habal-habal rides, whose riders do not have proper training or insurance coverage to protect themselves and their passengers.
Duterte noted that these groups have raised a valid concern and that House Bill (HB) 4470, which he filed last year with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Rep. Edvic Yap, provides the legislation that would legalize and regulate motorcycle taxis, along with 14 other similar measures.
“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.
Even the representatives of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), and Angkas have backed the measure, Duterte said.
HB 4470 and similar other bills pending in the House of Representatives provide, among others, that motorcycles intended to be used as vehicles for hire must be registered with the LTO, which shall ensure their roadworthiness before registering them or renewing such registration.
The measure filed by Duterte and his fellow authors 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.
