Angkas CEO: Let’s create a nation of employers

MANILA, Philippines — Angkas co-founder and CEO George Royeca has highlighted the importance of recognizing the country’s informal sector to help boost job creation and build a nation of employers.

Royeca encouraged the government and the private sector to support local, small businesses and create an environment that helps produce successful entrepreneurs.

He believes that by harnessing the economic power of micro and small entrepreneurs, millions of jobs can be cultivated out of poverty through technology and simple regulations.

His vision aligns with Angkas’ commitment to establish proper standards, uplift lives by offering job opportunities and ultimately foster economic recovery by building communities.

Since its inception in 2016, the homegrown Filipino firm has trained over 200,000 motorcycle riders for free. It equipped its rider-partners with insurance and the right tools to help ensure that every motorcycle taxi that rolls out on the highways is safe.

Angkas’ contribution to job creation has been significant as the company has 30,000 biker-partners now above the poverty line.

However, there are 18 million motorcycle owners in the country, and 99 percent of them come from low-income family households.

Royeca explained that if the sector is pooled and recognized, many micro and small entrepreneurs unregistered with the Security and Exchange Commission can be regulated.

Some of them can even progress to sole proprietors and corporations, potentially creating millions of jobs and help move the country’s economy forward.

Angkas has been investing in the Filipino people by offering them training and support.

Last year, Angkas and TESDA jointly developed a Basic Motorcycle Driving curriculum for those who want to use their motorcycles for business.

The five-day program provides formal training to motorcycle riders through actual demonstrations, pre-ride activities as well as monitoring and maintaining motorcycle performance crucial to operating a motorcycle safely.

Royeca reiterated the importance of harnessing the power of the informal sector to create a nation of employers.

He envisions a day when the country does not just depend on the government and a handful of companies to keep the economy going, and where hundreds of billionaires and thousands more millionaires comprise an extra peg on the stable economy.

Royeca said all entrepreneurs should support other entrepreneurs and turn informal sectors into thriving industries.

He stressed that the informal sector has been overlooked for too long, and recognizing its potential can help the country create millions of jobs and move the economy forward.