Motorcycle taxi measure OK’d on second reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a consolidated measure that will pave the way for the operation of so-called motorcycle taxis as alternative commuter vehicles. 

House Bill 8959, whose principal authors include Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, aims to amend the decades-old Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act 4136) that limits PUVs only to four-wheeled vehicles. 

“This is definitely good news for us, because this will help address perennial concerns of tremendous traffic problem and suffering among our commuters on a daily basis. As far as we are concerned, we have always been doing our job,” he said. 

Once approved into law, popular ride-sharing app Angkas, whose operations were stopped by the Supreme Court in December 2018, and its provincial counterparts called habal-habal that have been operating for a very long time, would be legalized and allowed to operate. 

Castelo, who heads the House committee on Metro Manila development, adopted a resolution recently directing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement a nationwide pilot run on the use of motorcycle taxis like Angkas despite the freeze order from the SC. 

“Now that we have established that Angkas is safe, fast and affordable and is relied upon by thousands of Filipino commuters, the committee now comes up with a resolution urging the DOTr to immediately allow Angkas a pilot run nationwide,” he said. 

The DOTr under Secretary Arthur Tugade was also directed to make the draft for the implementing guidelines for the operation and regulation of Angkas, whose operations were stopped by the SC, reversing an order issued by a Mandaluyong court. 

Among the lawmakers and resource persons who vouched for the efficiency and safety of Angkas as a form of public transport were Manila Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., Angkas official David Medrana and spokesman George Royeca. 

Rep. Lito Atienza of party-list Buhay has also endorsed Angkas as another form of PUV. 

A measure prohibiting children less than 56 inches or 4.5 feet in height or those below 12 years old from sitting at the front seat of vehicles to protect them from serious injuries and death in case of accidents has been sent to Malacañang for President Duterte’s signature.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, principal author of the measure, said the government must have laws that will protect the lives of people, especially children.

Senate Bill 1971, once signed into law, mandates drivers to secure a child 12 years old and below in a “child restraint system” while transporting a child on a road, street or highway.

The Presidential Legislative Liaison Office transmitted to Malacañang the harmonized version of Senate Bill 1971 and House Bill 6938, or “An Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles,” last Jan. 24.

Citing data from the World Health Organization, Ejercito noted that 1.35 million people around the world die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe