Perhaps back around 2018,
pedestrians in GenSan may have noticed signs hanging around showing the image
of a scooter. That was the logo of DBDOYC Inc., a Manila tech transportation operating
delivery and ride-sharing service Angkas. The platform however got into trouble
with government regulators, which lacked regulation regarding ride-sharing using
motorcycles. Owing to safety concerns and business permit issues the LTFRB
suspended Angkas operations, a decision overturned by the Mandaluyong RTC which
in turn was overruled by a Supreme Court TRO. The Department of Transportation
then proposed a pilot program allowing limited Angkas service in Metro Manila
and Cebu, excluding previously-covered areas such as GenSan and Cagayan De Oro.
But in a report by Inquirer.net the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has alleged that motorcycle
ride-sharing company Angkas may have violated the terms of the Department of
Transportation’s pilot period for motorcycle-based ride services. A report from
LTFRB board member Antonio Gardiola Jr. accuses Angkas of continuing its
operations in CDO and General Santos, both of which have had active Angkas
partner riders in the years prior to the court suspensions and the pilot
program proposal. The LTFRB is threatening to blacklist Angkas for its alleged
infraction.
Angkas however is denying that it
has retained partner riders outside the designated areas of Manila and Cebu for
the pilot run of motorcycle ride-hailers like them. In a press conference their
Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca reiterated that only riders in the two
major cities have been retained by the platform for motorcycle taxi runs. “We
have complied, there are no operations in CDO and GenSan but we hope we could
still run our delivery service since there’s really no restrictions on that,”
Royeca said. “But then in the meantime, we are focused in Metro Manila and
Metro Cebu.”
Back in June 2019, Congress
decided to provide for a pilot period to evaluate the official legalization of
motorcycle taxi ride-sharing. The trial period in Metro Manila and Cebu was to
last six months, and end in late December last year. However the program was
extended to run until March 23, 2020. Aside from Angkas, similar ride services
such as JoyRide and Move It are participating in the pilot period. Royeca has
expressed hope that their company and the LTFRB can work together to ensure
that no rogue partners of the platform would end up violating the ongoing trial
period.
Despite concerns for safety in
transporting passengers by motorcycle, Angkas for its short time in GenSan has
found a supporter in Mayor Ronnel Rivera. In his opinion, so long as the Angkas
riders in the city have local business permits and can prove competence, they
should be allowed to operate.
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