Ejercito to Angkas drivers: Train first before hitting the road

TRAFFIC BUSTER An Angas rider ferries a commuter

Motorcycle drivers of Angkas should first undergo mandatory training before the ride-hailing firm resumes its operations, Senator JV Ejercito said Tuesday.

“As an advocate of road safety, I would push for mandatory training for all motorcycle [drivers],” Ejercito told reporters.

“Probably pag natapos yan, ‘pag mayroon na silang certification that they all had undergone the basic training for motorcycles, then probably that will be the time that we can say na safe magkaroon ng Angkas,” he added.

Ejercito noted how easy to acquire motorcycles, adding that motorcycle drivers nowadays lacked discipline on the road.

“Marami rin sa mga [drivers] ngayon, talagang walang disiplina kasi nga ang daling kumuha ng motor, mag-down ka lang ng P1,000, P2,000 maiuuwi mo na without the proper training, without proper education on road safety,” the senator said.

He pointed out that there was no clear policy yet as to the liability in case of accidents.

“Ang problema dito sa Angkas OK siya pero ‘pag magkaroon ng aksidente, magkaroon ng hindi inaasahan, who will be liable? That will be the question,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito urged for the drafting of legislation that would be the basis for the ride-hailing firm for policies.

“So siguro we just have to draft as soon as possible a legislation para magkaroon ng basis ngayon ang ride-hailing [firms],” he said.

Ejercito said that Angkas should respect and follow the decision of the Supreme Court.

On Dec. 5, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against a Mandaluyong Court decision that barred authorities from apprehending drivers operating under motorcycle-hailing firm Angkas.

On Aug. 20, the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court 213 issued the order granting the petition filed by Angkas operator DBDOYC Inc. and stopped the LTFRB from apprehending Angkas drivers.

READ: SC temporarily stops Angkas operations 

The senator said he understood the plight of Angkas drivers as he was a motorcycle driver himself, but he insisted that the motorcycle-hailing firm should prioritize the safety of its passengers.

“Ako, I am a [driver], of course, I understand their situation and ‘yung kailangan po nila. Kaya lang probably we have to bear in mind that we have to keep the safety of our commuters as the primary concern,” he said.