The implementing guidelines for the resumption of operations of motorcycle taxis have finally been approved and as soon as operators show compliance to all the provisions, Angkas and the other motorcycle taxis that were given permission to participate in the pilot run will be back on the streets very soon.
This is the development that follows the previous issuance of the House of Representatives House Resolution No. 1286 that called for the continuance of the motorcycle taxi pilot run in order to increase mobility to ease public transport and re-invigorate the economy, especially in places like the National Capital Region (NCR). The pilot run will now also include Cebu and Cagayan de Oro (CDO).
The recent memorandum (Circular No.3) released by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) on November 4 detailed the guidelines that motorcycle taxi companies, their drivers, and passengers must observe in order to operate again on the streets, roads, and public highways.
“Transport should be safe and not compromise the guidelines that prevent COVID-19 transmission,” said National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) Secretary Vince Dizon during a virtual press conference to announce the approval of the guidelines. “These motorcycle taxi guidelines—-with the Department of Transportation (DOTR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and other partners even in the private sector—-can increase the safety of our public.”
“Thanks to the agencies and the private sector who have joined together to help the government come up with safe and secure guidelines to provide commuters with motorcycle taxi options ASAP,” he continued.
Also present during the virtual presser were DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr; DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor; DOTr Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante who was speaking on behalf of the Land Transportation Office (LTO); DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran; and Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca.
DOTr Asst. Sec. Pastor acknowledged the economy’s reliance on mobility, saying, “This is a good step of our opening up the economy, kasi magkakaroon ng modality sa ating public transportation. Isusulong po natin ang additional modes of mobility to also reduce travel time. Lalo na po’t may extended pilot run, keeping in mind na may safe re-launching ng pilot implementation gamit ang mga safety guidelines.” The aforementioned pilot run also aims to help legislators finally enact a law for motorcycle taxis.
“We thank and laud the government, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF),” said Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca, who has been a vocal representative for the transport industry and its commuters. “With their support, we have been able to advocate for the many stakeholders who were heavily impacted by mobility restrictions.Talaga pong concerted effort ito para sa lahat ng modes of transportation para po sa paglilingkod natin sa taong bayan.“
Assistant Secretary Galvante said that the three motorcycle taxi providers included in the pilot will be invited to convene with the Technical Working Group (TWG) within the week to ensure their compliance with the prescriptions for two-wheel vehicles. These include:
- use of NTF-approved barrier
- provision for cashless transactions
- non-sharing of helmets
- use of facemask and helmets with full face visor( that act as a face shield)
- professional licenses for all participating bikers
- and the rider’s submitting of daily health updates prior to work hours, among many others
Asec Galvante clarified, “The sooner that the motorcycle taxi company can comply with these requirements, then the sooner their bikers can operate on the streets.”
Royeca confidently shared, “We are fully compliant and we are submitting all the compliance requirements to the DOTr and the Congress TWG today.”
To date, Angkas has already prepared 23,000 riders for the NCR, 4,500 for Cebu, and 900 for CDO. Currently, 3,000 of these bikers have already undergone RT-PCR tests, with all of them yielding negative results. Angkas’ goal, though, is to have 100% of its bikers tested and cleared.
DOTr Asst. Sec. Goddess Libiran had already publicly shared her support for Angkas in October. “We’ve always known that efficient mobility and a bustling economy go hand-in-hand,” she shared. “That’s why with the IATF and NTF, we really worked closely with local government units (LGUs) and Angkas who were very passionate about providing a safe means of transportation for our essential workers.“
For those who rely on motorcycle taxis to get around the metro faster, now is a good time to buy your own helmets.