Romualdez declares motorcycle bill a priority
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday declared House Bill (HB) 3412 that seeks to legalize motorcycles as public transport a priority.
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed support for the legalization and easing of transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) regulations.
“The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are foundational to our democracy. It’s imperative to adapt our laws to the evolving transportation landscape to ensure the well-being and convenience of our citizens,” Romualdez said.
HB 3412 was introduced by Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and Rep. Bonifacio Bosita, both of the party-list 1-Rider.
The bill “aims to address the legal barriers that currently prevent motorcycles from being used as common carriers.”
“This initiative is also seen as a step toward formalizing the status of motorcycle taxis that have been operating under pilot-testing [phase] in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu since 2019.”
Romualdez, echoing the President’s message, said the legalization of motorcycle taxis and the relaxation of TNVS regulations “align with our goals to provide more choices for passengers, drivers, and businesses, particularly MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises).
“This approach not only addresses the demand for more accessible public transport but also contributes to the economic recovery and employment opportunities in the country,” he added.
Romualdez urged his fellow lawmakers to support the bill.