Angkas exec fears drivers may operate without registration

George Royeca, head of Angkas regulatory and public affairs, answers questions at a press conference on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. (Photo by FAYE ORELLANA / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Angkas drivers may be forced to go underground — that is, become unregistered or “habal-habal” drivers — if the Supreme Court will not lift its temporary restraining order on the motorcycle ride-hailing app.

That’s the perception George Royeca, head of Angkas regulatory and public affairs.

“Ang kinakatakot ko yung bumalik sila sa habal-habal kasi ang problema po natin dyan kapag habal-habal sila, hindi na po natin mamo-monitor,” Royeca said in a press conference on Saturday.

[What I fear is that they might return to habal-habal operations, because the problem with that is we can no longer monitor them.]

By monitoring, he meant keeping track of their trips and fees and of their safety – in case they get into an accident.

“So I think the roads are actually more dangerous right now because a lot of these drivers have come back to habal-habal,” Royeca said.

That, he said, would cause a “state of lawlessness.”

“So basically we have zero control right now because of the decision,” Royeca added.

According to the recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of casualties in road accidents have continued to rise over the years.

Among the fatalities involved in road crashes were drivers and passengers of motorcycles.

READ: Road traffic deaths in PH continue to rise — WHO

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has already directed the formation of a technical working group that would study the capability of using motorcycles as public transportation.

READ: Tugade: TWG to study feasibility of motorcycles as public transport

/atm