House panel to DOTr, MMDA: Submit weekly report on motorcycles-for-hire

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transporation (DOTr), particularly its technical working group (TWG), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), have been ordered to submit a weekly report on the operation of motorcycles-for-hire services to the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo on Wednesday moved to require the TWG and the MMDA to submit a report containing data on apprehensions and compliances related to the three motorcycles-for-hire services participating in the government’s pilot study.

“May I move that the DOTr, MMDA submit, if possible, weekly data to this committee regarding the apprehensions, regarding the compliances, the number of vehicles and drivers of the three companies,” Crisologo said during the hearing of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

“So that while the law is being crafted—I think there are House bills being crafted—we can actually move side by side parallel na habang gumagalaw ang technical working group, mayroon na tayong ginagawa, pinag-aaralan na yung batas,” the lawmaker added.

(So that while the law is being crafted—I think there are House bills being crafted—we can actually move side by side with the TWG. While the TWG is moving, we are studying our bills.)

Crisologo said the report can be used as a basis for the development of appropriate rules and regulations to guarantee public safety.

The motion was unanimously approved by the members of the panel.

The motion was made as TWG chairperson Antonio Gardiola was grilled by the House panel for depending on data provided by the motorcycle transport companies participating in the pilot study.

“Based on the hearing, [the authorities shall] monitor the compliance of the players as well make sure that the riding public is safe in using this service [and] to make sure that data gathering is not biased to the players,” Crisologo said In a text message to INQUIRER.net.

The pilot test run on the use of motorcycles as taxis is slated to end by March 23, 2020 which will be followed by an assessment of the transportation mode’s viability.

Technically, it is still illegal to operate motorcycles as taxis. Motorcycle transport network companies Angkas, Move It and JoyRide were however allowed to operate as a part of the DOTr’s pilot study.