Senate starts probe on motorcycle taxi regulation today

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on public services starts today its inquiry into the move of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to regulate motorcycle taxis.

Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the panel, said transportation officials, motorcycle taxi operators and leaders of commuter groups are expected to attend the public hearing.

The committee will tackle four bills seeking the regulation of motorcycle taxis as a safe and alternative public utility vehicles (PUVs).

It will also look into the results of the pilot run, the 10,000-rider cap set by the LTFRB and ownership of motorcycle taxi firms.

 “We all have one goal: to let our countrymen have an alternative PUV that is convenient and safe,” Poe said.

Among the resource persons who have confirmed attendance to the hearing are Transportation Assistant Secretaries Mark Steven Pastor and Bert Suansing, Land Transportation Office chief Edgar Galvante, technical working group chairman Antonio Gardiola, George Royeca of Angkas, Eric Torres of Move It Philippines, Neil Sherwin Yu of JoyRide, Brian Cu of Grab as well as other operators of motorcycle taxis.

Poe said the panel would also focus on safety regulations such as the requirement to declare a passenger’s weight when booking for a ride. 

“We are pleased with the commitment of government officials and concerned stakeholders to sit down and discuss key matters. This will be a big leap toward regulating motorcycle taxis,” she said.

“Seen as time-savers, motorcycle taxis must pass safety standards, and this is where regulation will play a critical role,” she added.

Poe is the author of Senate Bill 128 or the proposed Motorcycles for Hire Act, one of the four measures that will be discussed by the committee, alongside SB 1025 of Sen. Sonny Angara, SB 409 of Sen. Imee Marcos and SB 50 of Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

When passed into law, the measure will amend Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.