Angkas CEO: Motorcycle taxis address transport, livelihood woes

Angkas CEO George Royeca answers questions during an interview with ANC.

MANILA, Philippines — Emphasizing that necessity drives innovation, Angkas CEO George Royeca stated that the motorcycle (MC) taxi industry and its use of mobile applications not only aim to alleviate commuting difficulties but also provide a viable source of income for riders.

During a recent televised interview, Royeca was asked if the market for mobile applications had become too saturated, and what business looking to invest in the platform should consider prior.

Angkas CEO George Royeca

“They [applications] are there for a reason. You have a lot of options, solutions for your needs, and the country needs more local apps; there are a lot of great minds that are churning up new apps, technologies.”

Royeca posed three questions for startups that find themselves debating the matter, starting with what reason they’d have to do so.

Second, would the app provide a solution to a problem? And lastly, is app development something you understand.

Angkas aims to simultaneously tackle the hardship of commuting in the country, while providing a legitimate and systematized source of income for habal-habal, bike riders looking to earn from their vehicle.

“Every single biker on our platform is out of the poverty line, and there are millions more that we could really help” Royeca said.

He also mentioned that of the estimated 19 million motorbike owners nationwide, there are 30,000 registered as Angkas rider-partners.

When about the current situation of MC taxis as the service has been under the observation of a government-based Technical Working Group (TWG) since 2019.

Under Republic Act (RA) 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, MC taxi use is outlawed, making those that provide habal-habal, unregulated and outside of the law.

The TWG has been assessing the possibility of amending RA 4136 to allow MC taxis.

“We’re at the finishing touches…people from all sectors believe in the industry, and we’ve proven the safety and affordability [of the industry]” Royeca declared.

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