Angkas Unity Ride Highlights Need for Law Amendment

The Angkas Unity Ride organized by Angkas Philippines and motorcycle clubs in Metro Manila this morning proves the the motor bike industry is united in echoing their sentiments on the need for an improved mass public transportation in the Philippines; in particular for the 2-wheeled automobiles like the Angkas motorcycle-hailing app.

Angkas Press Conference for the Angkas Unity Ride

The aforementioned Angkas Unity Ride further emphasizes the need for law amendment to allow motorcycles as a valid public utility vehicle.

With the current status of Philippine traffic, it is but practical to allow motorcycles to ply Philippine roads as PUVs to help ease the traffic in Metro Manila.

Angkas Riders Join Unity Ride

Around a thousand Angkas riders, who suddenly found themselves at the receiving end of LTFRB apprehensions, joined a massive Unity Ride last Sunday as they decry the LTFRB's continued drive to shut down their operations permanently.

Angkas Unity Ride

The Unity Ride, which denounced government discrimination of motorcycle riders, saw around 2,000 bikers from different motorcycle clubs in Metro Manila and nearby provinces going from the Kalayaan Shrine on EDSA, heading northward towards Centris near Quezon Avenue, then making a U-turn to head back to the Kalayaan Shrine.

The Angkas riders have been airing their frustration over not being able to serve the commuters and earn a living, in the light of a recent Supreme Court Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) junking a previous RTC injunction that prevented the LTFRB from apprehending Angkas riders. Angkas officials, on the other hand, clarified that they are not in defiance of the SC TRO, despite their frustration over its issuance.

Angkas Driver being interviewed by GMA7

"We are will and continue to comply with the Supreme Court TRO" Angkas Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs George Royeca clarified.

"As such, we will not prevent the LTFRB from apprehending our bikers and have instructed them to comply with the authorities should they be apprehended and always be courteous and respectful of the officers."

Royeca also revealed that Angkas officials have been reaching out to DOTR and LTFRB for an open dialogue with them to find solutions for the Filipino riding public.

Cry for "Save Angkas"

"Using various media channels, the LTFRB has made clear its intent to crack down on Angkas bikers, citing a very narrow interpretation of the law. Yet we have on various occasions presented the LTFRB with different options to move forward together," Royeca noted. "We have always believed that regulation, not prohibition, is key," he added.

Because of the apprehensions initiated by the LTFRB, many of the Angkas bikers are scared of going out and taking rides from commuters. "This has put around 25,000 of our rider-partners out of a decent livelihood, and during the holiday season, too, when their families need their income the most," David Medrana, Angkas Operations Head, stressed.

"It is also unfortunate that the Supreme Court issued the TRO at a time when hundreds of thousands of commuters need the Angkas service to beat the worsening holiday traffic," Medrana rued.

Angkas Philippines in support for the industry

Angkas rider-partner Romeo Maglungsod, Chairman of Solid Manila Riders Club, denounced the harassment of the LTFRB and decried his sudden loss of livelihood. "Napakasakit po ng nangyari sa amin. Sa isang iglap, bigla na lang kaming nawalan ng hanapbuhay," Maglungsod said.

"The LTFRB has been claiming that they are doing this because of safety reasons," Medrana also noted. "But, we are proud to say that Angkas has a safety record of 99.997% considering all our rider-partners and all their trips. This is much higher than the safety record of all non-Angkas motorcycle riders in the country and proves how serious we are in our commitment to the safety of our riders and their passengers," he revealed.

What's next for Angkas, the commuting public, and the Angkas Drivers?

I hope the government heeds the cry of the commuting public and the stakeholders on this need for amendment. Together, let us Save Angkas!