Commuters are increasingly relying on motorcycles-for-hire to get through Metro Manila’s jammed streets to their destination. (Photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — The technical working group (TWG) assigned to study the feasibility of motorcycle taxis and monitor its pilot run has promised to release reports and recommendations in the next 45 days, after lawmakers prodded them to set a timeline.
At the hearing of the House of Representatives committee on transportation on Tuesday, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II asked the panel to give them 45 days for the full report.
Mendoza, who heads the TWG, made this assurance after Abono party-list Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella and committee chair Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop asked for the timeline — given that the pilot run started in June 2019 or four years ago.
Mendoza told lawmakers, “yung most of the concerns raised by the House today, I think we can address that between now and the end of the month,” he said.
“Kasi ‘yong iba po diyan, legal studies lang po ‘yan,” he added.
“I think the biggest problem, and this we’ll have to put a timeline and a starting period, is the capping of motorcycle taxis allowed on the road,” he noted.
To date, the TWG has yet to come up with a report on its result.
The group is being led by LTO.
Representatives from Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also part of the team.
Members of Senate and House committees on transportation are also members.
The new September timeline was given by the agency following questions from Estrella and Acop.
Estella expressed dismay over LTO’s lack of update on the matter.
“Mr. Chair, ang pinag-uusapan, maganda. Tama naman. Kaya lang, gusto kong malaman, kailan ho ‘yong tuldok nito? Ano ba ho ‘yong time limit? Isang linggo? Isang buwan? Isang taon?” he asked.
(Mr. Chair, what is being talked about is good. It is correct. But I want to know, when this will end? What is the time limit? One week? One month? One year?)
“Kasi kapag ang study, pag apat na taon, graduate na. Pag lumagpas pa, Masters na. Pag lumagpas, doctorate na,” Estrella chided LTO.
(Because if a study takes four years, it is already a graduate course. If it goes beyond that, that’s already a master’s degree. If it surpasses that, that’s already a doctorate.)
Acop agreed with Estrella.
“Ang study, may ‘kwan na. Dapat may cap. May limit,” the panel head said.
(A study must have… It should have a cap. A limit.)
“There are bills regarding motorcycle taxis, and we need the information coming from you,” he told Mendoza.
Mendoza sought the understanding of the committee.
He said he had just been recently appointed to his post.
Last June 2019, Congress approved a six-month pilot run on the use of motorcycles as taxis.
It was originally set to end on December 26, 2019.
The activity was extended until March 23, 2020, to allow further study.
COVID-19 pandemic delayed the deliberations on the issue, prompting government to extend the testing period again.
Last February, there were calls to expand the pilot program to allow more companies to participate in the dry run.
The use of motorcycles as taxis is being evaluated as the country reopens its economy after the global health crisis.
– With reports from Juan Miguel Talens, trainee
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