Poe urges DOTr to expedite regulations of Angkas, ‘habal-habal’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast track its efforts in regulating the operations of motorcycles as a mode of public transport.
On Wednesday, the Senate public services committee, chaired by Poe, conducted a hearing on the motorcycle ride-hailing platform Angkas, as well as “habal-habal” operations.
“Kasi napaka-plastic naman natin na sinasabi natin na bawal to eh naglipana naman lahat ng terminals na yan, di ba? So papaano ngayon yan? So, bilisan naman ninyo yung trabaho rin, dahil makikita naman ninyo, pwede naman palitan yan, kung hindi gumagana, habang wala pa ngang batas pwede naman nating ayusin yung batas para maging tugma sa pangangailangan at sa kaligtasan,” Poe said.
This after Poe took into consideration the recommendation of Senator Ralph Recto, who asked the DOTr to regulate Angkas and “habal-habal” operations.
READ: Recto seeks to legalize motorcycle ride-sharing service
“Susundan ng Committee on Public Services panel ang recommendations of issuance department order addressing the regulations of two-wheel motorvehicles: Habal habal, Angkas. A department issuance is needed tulad ng ginawang TNCs and TNVs, in lieu of a committee report, I’m asking sana na within 30 days meron na kayong decision, kaya ba?” Poe said.
Recto, in the beginning of the hearing, suggested that the DOTr should issue a department order to regulate both Angkas and “habal-habal” operations.
“Regulate it. Mas magiging safe for the passengers, at least everyone may insurance. Halimbawa, ganito kalaki yung motorcycle dapat, dapat trained yung driver, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance, police clearance to address the safety issues,” Recto said.
“Regulate it, and then that will minimize the corruption pa, kasi right now yung mga ‘habal-habal’ naglalagay sa pulis for them to operate, eh marami pa sigurong ibang nilalagyan,” he added.
The DOTr maintained its position that under the law, motorcycles should not be used as a mode of public transportation.
“A department order alone will not suffice in allowing motorcycle taxis. So, yan po yung position ng department, so we need to revise, amend kung ano yung nakasulat sa batas,” DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark de Leon said.
He was referring to a provision of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code wherein private motorcycles or scooters “shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay.”
De Leon added that a technical working group is already in place to look into how Angkas, including “habal-habal,” regulates and trains its members.
“Members of the technical working group will also input dun sa possible regulations,” he added.
Recto noted that there are around 500,000 unregulated “habal-habal” motorcycles operating in Metro Manila alone.
It was in December of last year when the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against a ruling of a lower court that prevents the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from interfering with the operations of Angkas. /jpv
READ: SC temporarily stops Angkas operations
