IATF allows motorcycle taxis to resume operations

THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed motorcycle taxis to resume operations, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said on Friday.

“Pinayagannarinangpagpapatupad motorcycle taxi pilot study pagkatapospayaganng Kamara de Representante naiextend ang motorcycle taxi pilot study program ( The IATF has allowed the resumption of the motorcycle taxi pilot study after the House of Representatives approved the extension of the motorcycle taxi pilot study program).”

“So, mabutingbalitapo‘yan kasipupuwedenanamantayong mag- Angkas omag- Joyride (This is good news. We could now avail of Angkas and Joyride),” Roque said, referring to the two ride-hailing motorcycle companies in the country, whose operations have been halted because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He, however, reminded the public to wait for the guidelines to be issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“Merongpong guidelines na iisyuang LTFRB. Peroangmaganda Antayinlangnatinngsandali ang guidelines (The LTFRB will issue a set of guidelines, but what is good is that there is no more hindrance to this. Let us wait for the guidelines),” Roque said.

In a separate online briefing, Angkas chief transportation advocate George Royeca said the company’s fleet of about 30,000 bikers is prepared to carry passengers and contribute to the government’s target of reviving the economy.

He also reiterated that Angkas partner-drivers have been equipped with training on proper disinfection of vehicles after every trip, ensuring ride-hailing passengers are safe.

Angkas remains on the waiting mode for transportation regulators’ guidelines extending the pilot program, Royeca noted.

According to Malacañang, the study will be implemented and monitored by the National Task Force Covid-19 and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

On October 5, the IATF-EID endorsed to the House of Representatives the request of Metro Manila mayors for the resumption of the pilot study on motorcycle taxis. There were mounting calls for the resumption of motorcycle taxi operations to address the public’s need for mobility with the reopening of more business establishments.

In March the DoTr suspended the pilot run for motorcycle taxis ahead of the study’s expiration in April amid the threat of Covid-19.

A bill seeking to declare motorcycle taxis a legal mode of public transport is yet to get the approval of Congress.

WITH LISBET K. ESMAEL