JV Ejercito: Provisional authority for motorcycle taxis, couriers created millions of jobs during pandemic

Riders of motorcycle ride-hailing app service Angkas show support for Senatorial candidate Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito during the “Angkas Safety Fiesta” at the Angkas headquarters in Cainta, Rizal on April 2, 2022.

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday said his efforts to secure provisional authority for motorcycle taxis and couriers to operate created millions of jobs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Who would have thought that a simple push for that provisional authority to operate would result in millions of jobs and livelihood? Ang daming nabuhay na pamilya dahil yung motorcycle taxis and courier riders are now in the millions,” he said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

Ejercito, who is also a motorcycle enthusiast, lauded motorcycle taxis and couriers for maximizing this provisional authority to save the country’s pandemic-stricken economy.

“Sila po ang nagsilbing heroes of the pandemic. Sila po ang bumuhay ng ekonomiya natin noong walang nakakagalaw during the lockdowns,” he said.

Riders of motorcycle ride-hailing app service Angkas show support for Senatorial candidate Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito during the “Angkas Safety Fiesta” at the Angkas headquarters in Cainta, Rizal on April 2, 2022.

Despite earlier apprehensions about the granting of the said provisional authority, the former Senator said he was able to successfully lobby with different agencies to launch test runs for regulated motorcycle taxi and courier operations.

“Alam ko naman yung dangers niyan. Pero sabi ko, bakit di natin bigyan ng chance? So, I was able to convince DOTr Secretary Tugade and the agencies na pagbigyan natin ang provisional authority for motorcycle taxis to operate, yun pong Angkas, Joyride, and others. Tapos, sumunod po diyan yung delivery services, yung courier services,” Ejercito said.

In May 2019, Angkas, one of the largest motorcycle taxi and courier companies in the country, was authorized to operate during a six-month test run.

During that period, Ejercito said accidents involving motorcycle taxis and couriers were minimal due to the overall discipline among riders.

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