The Department of Transportation’s Technical Working Group (DOTr-TWG) urged the House committee on transportation to allow the pilot study on motorcycle taxis to continue.
During a recent House hearing, Vigor Mendoza, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief and vice chair of the TWG, expressed his disagreement with terminating the pilot study and noted the importance of a transition period to ensure the proper implementation of the study.
This appeal comes in response to Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta’s inquiry as to why the motorcycle taxi pilot study is still ongoing when a previous document indicated that it ended in 2021.
Marcoleta questioned the DOTr-TWG’s rationale for limiting participation to only three players — Angkas, Move It and Joy Ride — and sought clarification on the increase in rider allocation.
The study, which started in 2019, was suspended due to the pandemic and resumed in 2020. It aims to provide recommendations on safety, security, franchising, regulatory procedures and law enforcement issues.
Teofilo Guadiz, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board as well as TWG chair, said the termination of the motorcycle taxi pilot study rests solely with the House of Representatives.
However, this explanation did not sit well with House committee on transportation chair and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, who asserted that the TWG should submit a report confirming the conclusion of the pilot study to the House, rather than seek legislative authority.
“Make a report to the House that your study was already terminated and you are coming to a recommendation. You are abrogating to yourself the power of Congress to provide franchises,” Acop said.
Following the hearing, the TWG will present recommendations on the extension of the study, multi-homing, rider cap allocation, entry of new players, liabilities and more. It will also submit a comprehensive report within 45 days.
In a related development, LTO is eyeing to utilize malls as distribution points of the unclaimed license plates to ensure their fast release in line with the directive of the DOTr.
Mendoza said the LTO could tap malls to help in the distribution system so that the agency’s district offices will not be overwhelmed.
An appointment scheme could be enforced to ensure a smooth distribution and release of the unclaimed license plates, he added.
Mendoza also wants majority of the transactions in the LTO to be done online to provide a more efficient and effective service to the public. – Myla Iglesias
