Woohoo!
Angkas just scored a major win today: the House Committee on Metro Manila Development has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to legitimize and regulate motorcycles as public vehicles.
Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo announced yesterday that House Committee on Metro Manila Development issued a resolution that directed the DOTr to push for a nationwide pilot run for Angkas, and to come up with implementing guidelines for for-hire motorcycles in the next two weeks.
He also said that the DOTr can issue a department order that will allow Angkas to resume operations, just like they did for transportation network companies like Uber and Grab.
“Now that we have established that Angkas is safe, fast and affordable, and is relied upon by thousands of Filipino commuters, the committee now comes up with a resolution urging the DOTr to immediately allow Angkas a pilot run nationwide as the DOTr drafts the implementing guidelines for the operation and regulation of Angkas,” Castelo said.
While the gov’t shut down Angkas (during the busy holiday season), many commuters reached out to Congresswoman and Committee Representative Cristal Bagatsing. She sees the shutdown as a great disservice to many commuters who are looking for fast and convenient transport and deprives around 25,000 motorcycle riders a decent way to earn a living.
“The main issue here is that the current law does not allow for motorcycles to ferry passengers. Passed way back in 1964, that law is over half-a-century old, 54 years to be exact, and sorely needs to be repealed or amended,” she said.
“Regulation, not prohibition, is the answer—as informal motorcycle colorums are already the main transportation choice of thousands of commuters, even before Angkas,” she added.
