DOTr asked: Allow Angkas to operate as TNC

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) can issue an order allowing motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas to operate as a tranport network company (TNC) like Grab to help alleviate commuters’ woes from traffic jams in Metro Manila, an administration lawmaker has proposed. 

“A department order from the DOTr can help lessen the suffering of the riding public,” Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, said. 

The DOTr can allow Angkas to operate as a TNC or a Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), Castelo said.

He said the DOTr, which has supervision over the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), should allow Angkas to continue its operations “for the sake of public interest.”  

“The DOTr can give its best Christmas gift to the public by withdrawing its petition against Angkas before the Supreme Court,” he said.

Last week, the SC issued a temporary restraining order stopping Angkas’ operations.

The SC order allowed the LTFRB and DOTr to apprehend Angkas riders.

George Royeca, Angkas head of regulatory and public affairs, said they welcomed the DOTr statement that it would form a technical working group to look into the possible use of motorcycles as an alternative mode of transportation.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said they are willing to work with Angkas if the firm would not defy the SC ruling.

‘Ban on Angkas anti-poor’

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said the crackdown on Angkas robbed Filipino workers of a fast and cheaper way to get to their destination.

“Traffic is a major constraint to development, especially for the poor since taxis and TNVS are too costly for them. Angkas is a cheap and viable transport solution to low-income Filipinos in urban areas since it provides cheap and fast transportation,” Marcos said.

She said Angkas compels taxis and TNVS to offer more competitive rates and enhance their services to justify their higher fares.

Marcos said motorcycles increase the mobility of workers as it shorten travel time at cheaper prices compared to taxis and TNVS.

“A worker from Quezon City would not take a job in Pasay with a three-hour commute, but he could tolerate a much lesser travel time through Angkas,” she said.

Instead of banning Angkas, Marcos pushed for the development of motorcycle-based TNVS with a regulatory framework different from ride-sharing app such as Grab.

“The government should work to create a new market instead of cracking down on Angkas, to the prejudice of low-income commuters,” she said.

“Instead of traditional enforcement practices, regulation of motorcycle-based TNVs can be app-based where the riders provide regulators with real-time feedback on their Angkas operators, thereby ensuring better services,” Marcos said.     

Marcos cited Go-Jek, which has almost one million drivers in Jakarta alone.

She said Metro Manila’s population is 30 percent higher than Indonesia, so a motocycle-based TNVS like Go-Jek can create at least a million jobs in the metropolis. – Jose Rodel Clapano