Osmeña says apprehending Angkas drivers not his priority

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Tomas Osmeña said it is not the priority of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to apprehend drivers associated with motorcycle-hailing application Angkas.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had earlier ruled that the online booking system for motorcycle operation does not have permits to operate and carry passengers.

“The LTFRB should do its job, but that’s not my priority because what Angkas is doing is actually beneficial to the public,” Osmeña said.

The mayor said Angkas and habal-habal operations in the city are providing the transportation services of the public which cannot be achieved by another mode of transportation.

He believed that it was “not right” for LTFRB to say that Angkas is “illegal.”

Osmeña said the national government should give at least 400 traffic enforcers to implement the traffic rules and regulations.

“Have to spend my time manning the traffic, running after implementing their order is not my job.  It’s not even my job to man the traffic, it’s the job of the national government,” he said.

He added LTFRB should be the one to go after Angkas drivers since the city government is more concerned about resolving the traffic woes in the city.

Osmeña said the people who use Angkas and habal-habal or the motorcycle-for-hire services cannot buy private cars.

“Ang Angkas is a way of improving our traffic situation because they don’t have to make standby in a corner and block the intersection.  It’s not my priority. I will not say I will defy the law, I’ll just say it’s not my priority,” he added.

LTFRB-7 Ahmed Cuizon said Angkas has no authority from the board to operate as a Transport Network Company.

“We have been waiting for guidance from our central office on this matter for some time already.  So, the action of LTFRB board member Aileen Lourdes Lizada against the unauthorized TNC and TNVS operations of Angkas in Manila now provides us with a clear direction on how to proceed regarding this,” he said.

Cuizon added the region will follow the board's directives and implement LTFRB rules against the “illegal” public transport operations.

But, he refused to issue a comment on the pronouncement of Osmeña that Cebu City’s traffic enforcers will not prioritize the apprehension of Angkas drivers or riders.

Angkas is an online booking system wherein passengers use a mobile application to book pick-up and drop-off locations for a fixed upfront price. It started operating in Cebu City in July this year. (FREEMAN)