PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– The Department of Transportation claimed that a motorcycle taxi service said to start on March 16, would not yet be allowed to operate in this city.
Assistant secretary Alberto Suansing, said Backride Palawan was not part of those authorized pilot service greenlit by the national government.
Suansing said Backride Palawan should not yet start its operation as it was “colorum” (without franchise or unregistered).
In its Facebook post on Sunday, Backride Palawan announced that its official service would be launched on March 16.
Recruitment was ongoing despite the lack of permits, which they claimed to be “in process.”
“That’s still illegal and we are still deliberating on that. Whether motorcycles are allowed to be a public utility vehicle (PUV) is not within the purview of the LGU. They cannot give franchise,” said Suansing in an earlier interview.
Officials from Backride Palawan has not issued any statement despite multiple attempts for an interview.