Motorcycles-for-hire bill gets House nod

MANILA, Philippines — Motorcycles may soon be legalized as mode of public transport after the House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act.”

With 181 voting in the affirmative, the chamber unanimously approved House Bill No. 8959 which seeks to amend the decades-old Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

READ: House OKs bill allowing motorcycles as public transport on second reading

The proposed law revises Section 7(c) of R.A. 4136 to allow ride-sharing apps using motorcycles, such as Angkas or Habal-Habal, to roam the streets again.

Earlier, the Supreme Court, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and motorcycle clubs have agreed on the need to amend RA 4136 before the motorcycle’s so-called ride-sharing services like Angkas could be legally accredited.

READ: Angkas riders call on lawmakers to amend R.A. 4136

The High Court earlier temporarily stopped the operations of the motorcycle ride-sharing app Angkas and ordered DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to go after its drivers.

READ: SC temporarily stops Angkas operations | Angkas files motion to lift TRO suspending its operations

Section 7(c) of R.A. 4136 states that “private motorcycles, scooters, or motor wheel attachments […] 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.”

In the upper chamber, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has filed Senate Bill No. 2173 which seeks to classify public utility motorcycles as those “with engines of at least 125 cc and can travel faster than 50 kilometers per hour.”/ac