MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Saturday said he is open to endorsing other motorcycle-hailing services that will join the pilot test run for public transportation, days after he clarified his endorsement for transport network company JoyRide PH.
“Of course. Ang ano lang dun hindi ko alam na may mga MoveIt, hindi ko alam yan. [What I’m saying is that I have never heard of MoveIt. I don’t have knowledge on that.],” Pimentel told DWIZ on Saturday when asked if he is open to endorse other motorcycle taxis that joined the government’s pilot testing project.
MoveIt is another motorcycle hailing app service that joined a three-month pilot test extension from Dec. 23 to March 23. The test run aims to evaluate and validate data on the safety and reliability of motorcycles for public transport.
The senator said he is not aware of technology and other regulators of the other motorcycle hailing services.
“May nabanggit na siyam ang interesado. [There were some that claimed there are nine who are interested in the pilot test run.] Kasi mabilis ang technology. ‘Yung sino nagsulat nung mga program na yan yung mga apps sila, hindi ko memorized yan. [Because technology is modernized. I do not memorize those who own the programs and the apps.],” he said.
Pimentel on Friday confirmed that he endorsed JoyRide PH for inclusion in the first pilot test run for motorcycle taxis, noting that there is a need to make sure that the country’s motorcycle ride-hailing industry will not be monopolized.