In its ongoing commitment to enhance the welfare of its biker community and foster entrepreneurship among its partners, Angkas, a local motorcycle taxi company, introduced the Angkasosyo Hub in July 2023.
The initiative was inspired by Allen Llevan, a chapter president who has operated a variety store and carinderia along F.B. Harrison Street in Pasay City for 11 years. As an Angkas rider since 2017, Llevan envisioned a program to benefit the entire Angkas ecosystem.
“The term ‘Angkasosyo’ combines ‘business’ and ‘partner,’ reflecting its core mission to assist riders with their businesses and foster solidarity within Angkas,” Llevan explained.
Angkas chief executive officer George Royeca, a fervent advocate for entrepreneurship, praised bikers engaged in diverse income-generating activities beyond their roles with Angkas.
Royeca emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting bikers in expanding their income opportunities, aiming to inspire others to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
“How can we transition from single-income to dual-income households? If the husband earns from Angkas, perhaps the wife can explore live selling. We aspire to empower households by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. It’s a comprehensive community approach,” Royeca remarked.
So, how does the Angkasosyo Hub function? Angkas riders with their own businesses can designate them as Angkasosyo hubs. These establishments serve as resting spots, or ‘tambayans,’ for Angkas riders in the area. In return, bikers receive complimentary snacks and coffee, along with a P10 discount on their total bill during each visit. Angkas accumulates these discounts monthly and remits them to the business owner.
Marvin Rapada, an Angkas rider for seven years, manages a kitchenette business in Brgy Bagong Pagasa, Quezon City.
In addition to offering barbecue, milk tea, snacks, and grilled food, Rapada now sells shower caps for Angkas riders. He emphasized the positive impact of being an Angkasosyo Hub on his business’s visibility and reputation in the community.
Encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs among fellow riders, Rapada emphasized the importance of patience and strategic planning.
For Llevan, becoming an Angkasosyo Hub significantly boosted his business, doubling his income from approximately P700 to P1,500 per day.
Yrreg Guerrero, owner of a burger station in Project 4, Quezon City, experienced more than just additional income through the Angkasosyo Hub. Since becoming an Angkas rider in 2018, Guerrero has formed bonds with various Angkas biker groups who frequent his establishment. He values the camaraderie and sense of community fostered by the Hub, as bikers gather to rest and socialize.
Guerrero encourages fellow Angkas riders with businesses to consider turning them into Angkasosyo Hubs to create more resting spots for bikers and increase income and visibility.
This aligns with Royeca’s vision of empowering drivers beyond providing a job.
“We equip our drivers with the tools to thrive in a modern economy, offering more than just a means of earning a living. It’s about providing a path out of poverty towards financial stability and dignity,” Royeca concluded.
