TWG recommends Angkas’ blacklisting

MANILA,  Philippines — A technical working group (TWG) tasked to study the safety of motorcycle taxis has  recommended the blacklisting of Angkas.

The blacklisting was part of the TWG’s report submitted to Congress, Senator Imee Marcos disclosed during a Senate hearing on Monday.

“Yung recommendation, Number 19, blacklisting of Angkas and its incorporators. Ibig sabihin, hindi individual riders yan kundi buong-buo, yung kompanya. Tama po ba?” Marcos asked.

(The recommendation, Number 19,  is the blacklisting of Angkas and its incorporators. It means, not individual riders  but  the entire company. Is that correct?)

“Tama po (Correct),” said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member Antonio Gardiola Jr, who heads the  TWG tapped by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to conduct the study.

Gardiola said they recommended the blacklisting not only of those motorcycle taxis that were not included but participated in the TWG’s pilot run, but also those who violated their guidelines.

Their pilot run, he noted, only covers the National Capital Region but some bikers were reported to have also operated outside the two areas.

“Nabasa naman po namin yan sa dyaryo… Ang tinatanong ko bakit buong-buo nagba blacklist kayo. E ang kasasabi mo lang individual errant bikers. Parang ganun ang pagkaintindi ko,”  Marcos said.

(We read that in the paper. My only question is why do you blacklist the [entire  company]. You just said individual  errant bikers. That’s how I understand it)

“In any case, wala po kayong report pero kaya nyong mag blacklist (you have no report but you can blacklist),” she pointed out.

Gardiola earlier said they are terminating their study on motorcycle taxis since they could not gather data because of legal impediments.