BY ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
Malacañang said President Duterte no longer has to use his emergency powers to allow motorcycle taxis like Angkas and Joyride to resume operations following a resolution that will allow them to get back on the road.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after he raised the possibility of Duterte using his emergency powers to allow motorcycle taxis as the government moves to revive the economy by allowing more transportation services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, Roque said that the House Committee on Transportation has already announced passing a resolution to continue the pilot study on their services.
“Mukhang hindi na po kinakailangan ‘yan,’’ he said Saturday.
“Inanunsyo na po ng House Committee on Transportation na nag-approve na sila ng resolution para magpatuloy po ‘yung pilot study nang mapayagan pong bumyahe ang Angkas at Joyride,” he added.
According to Roque, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) may now allow motorcycle taxis to ply the roads after the recent move of Congress.
“Nilabas na nga po ng House Committee on Transportation ang resolusyon na pupuwede nang maging basehan para ang DOTr naman po ay pumayag na muling bumyahe ang Angkas at Joyride,” he said.
The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has endorsed the drafting of an “appropriate Congress resolution” that would allow motorcycle taxis to return to the streets. This was supported by several local chief executives in Metro Manila.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said last week that motorcycle taxis will not be back anytime soon unless Congress comes up with a law so allowing the transportation service would have a legal basis.
The Motorcycle Taxi (MC Taxi) Technical Working Group (TWG) led by Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante completed the pilot run of motorcycle taxis last March. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
