Motorcycle operator warns of job losses after cap on bikers
A MOTORCYCLE taxi operator on Sunday warned of job losses after the land transport regulator capped its service bikers to 10,000 from 27,000.
Angkas bikers, commuters and transport advocates came together in Quezon City to protest the government decision.
The Senate may investigate the policy, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, who took part in yesterday’s protest, said in an interview.
“There is no more reason why we should not legitimize Angkas and other ride-hailing bikers,” she said.
In a statement at the weekend, Angkas said it was forced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to trim its pool of bikers to 10,000 from 27,000.
The government’s technical working group had extended its pilot run of motorcycle taxi services for six more months, but set an equal cap among three providers: Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.
The three must split the new limit of 39,000 bikers among them, with each being allocated 10,000 bikers for Metro Manila and 3,000 bikers each for Cebu City.
Angkas was the sole service provider during the initial six-month trial run, in which 27,000 of its bikers participated.
“That’s a compromise to the quality of service you can expect, and a direct blow to over 17,000 Filipino families,” Angkas said, referring to bikers that will be excluded from the extended pilot run.
The company will appeal the LTFRB decision, said George I. Royeca, regulatory and public affairs head at Angkas.
He cited “irregularities” in the LTFRB ruling, and both Houses of Congress should investigate this, he said.
“We were kept in the dark,” Mr. Royeca said. “We don’t know what is the rationale behind many of the provisions,” he said in an interview. — Denise A. Valdez and Arjay L. Balinbin
