House panel, DOTr-TWG consider pilot rollout of motorcycle taxi outside Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The House transportation committee has expressed willingness toward broadening the scope of the motorcycle taxi pilot study outside of Metro Manila. 

During the committee hearing, House transportation committee Chair and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, shared that the Department of Transportation Technical Working Group (DOTr-TWG) submitted a report stating an extension of MC taxi pilot studies into several additional regions. 

This expansion encompasses the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Iloilo, Bacolod, Pampanga, Davao, Zamboanga, Legazpi, General Santos, Pangasinan, and Baguio.

This after National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (NACTODAP) President Ariel Lim emphasized the need to disperse motorcycle taxi operations beyond Metro Manila. 

Lim highlighted concerns regarding the overwhelming concentration of such services in the capital city, expressing fears about potential adverse effects on tricycle-related livelihoods, “Hindi kami tutol sa motorycle taxi. Tumutulong kami pero huwag naman sana dito sa Metro Manila. Sobrang dami na kasi dito. Mamamatay ang mga tricycle,” Lim said.

READ: LTO goes after picky cab drivers, illegal motorcycle taxi riders

(We are not opposed to motorcycle taxis. We are willing to help, but hopefully not here in Metro Manila. There are already too many here. Tricycle drivers will lose their livelihoods.)

Land Transportation Office head Vigor Mendoza confirmed that the allotment of 45,000 motorcycle taxis in Manila has already reached its limit. Nationally, there is an allocation of 63,000 motorcycle taxis, of which 54,000 are currently enrolled. 

Several months ago, The Passenger Forum (TPF), an advocate for commuter welfare, urged the government to expand the ongoing motorcycle taxi pilot study countrywide. TPF Lead Convenor Primo Morillo highlighted the need to extend the study beyond Metro Manila, Cebu, and other major cities due to its proven advantages for commuters. 

READ: DOTr-TWG calls for continuation of motorcycle taxi pilot study

“Itong habal-habal nagkakaroon nito dahil sa kakulangan ng masasakyan. Hindi sila makapag rehistro kaya dapat magkaroon ng espasyo para iparehistro sila at mag expand yung MC taxi study hindi lamang sa Metro Manila, Cebu, at iba pang mga syudad kundi talagang nationally,” Morillo said. 

(The “habal-habal” arises due to a lack of available transportation. They cannot register, so there should be space for them to register, and the motorcycle taxi study should expand not only in Metro Manila, Cebu, and other cities but nationally as well.)

READ: House spots holes in prolonged study on motorcycle taxis

Currently, the motorcycle taxi pilot study is confined to three cities: Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

Meanwhile, Mendoza requested the House Transportation Committee for a six-month extension of the pilot study. He cited the imperative for a market capacity study conducted by the UP National Center for Transport Study, especially with the imminent entry of seven new players. 

These new entrants comprise Cloud Panda Philippines Inc., Taxi Philippines Inc., E Pick Me Up Inc., Easy Way Transport Service and Multipurpose Cooperative, Para Express Technology Services Inc., Grab Philippines, and Market Innovators Inc.

Acop expressed discontent with the request, saying that the MC taxi pilot study had already been given an extended period. 

“We consider the final recommendations of your ongoing pilot study as an important source of information and critical component in our legislative process. Since you gave us six months, you have to finish that [study] otherwise, the TWG of this committee, headed by Honorable Pancho, will not finish its work,” Acop told Mendoza.