Angkas suspends operations

Motorcycle ride – hailing service company Angkas has voluntarily suspended its operations in Metro Manila and in Cebu City starting today while job opportunities for riders will be provided by the Land Transportation Franchising (LTFRB), and Regulatory Board and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Angkas informed the LTFRB about its decision to suspend operations through a letter Thursday and apologized to them as well as to the riding public "for this unfortunate situation."

"[We] hope that this can be the beginning of progressive and open discussions with the government for the benefit of our riding public," the letter said.

The company also believes that "regulation is a natural course for the government to take" as innovations on transportation continue to rise.

Angkas added that their goal was always to provide a "professional and safer way" to ride motorcycles as taxi service but admitted that they don't know which government agency to apply to.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB with the help of DOLE will provide job opportunities to around 200,000 Angkas partner-drivers who willl be affected by suspension of operations.

"The LTFRB coordinated with Secretary Bello of DOLE, and he is supportive of our proposal to have a job fair for the drivers of Angkas," LTFRB member and spokesperson Atty. Aileen Lizada said.

Lizada said that they will give the drivers an option for a "legal source of livelihood" such as delivery services including food deliveries, courier, among others.