AMID worsening traffic congestion and rising fuel prices, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has introduced a bill seeking to recognize motorcycles as legitimate public utility vehicles (PUVs) to provide Filipinos with a safe, accessible and affordable mode of transport.
Under De Lima’s proposed House Bill No. 9417, motorcycles-for-hire shall be placed under the regulatory authority of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and concerned local government units (LGUs).
“As more Filipino commuters rely on motorcycle taxis for their daily transportation, and more bikers depend on this mode of transportation for income, the government has to step in and provide a more responsive and robust governance framework that takes care of the legitimate interests and welfare of all stakeholders in this increasingly important industry,” the bill read.
“Despite being a reliable, convenient and fast mode of transportation, motorcycles-for-hire must be regulated to ensure that the interests of the general public are protected,” it added.
By regulating motorcycles as PUVs, the State aims to ensure their roadworthiness, promote the safety and protection of passengers and other road users, and guarantee drivers’ compliance with the necessary training and licensing standards, with due regard to fair pricing schemes and reasonable operating rules.
As envisioned in the proposed bill, motorcycles-for-hire shall also be included in all plans and programs for route rationalization and traffic management, both at the local and national levels.
“Sa pupugak-pugak na sistema ng pampublikong transportasyon sa ating bansa, araw-araw na delubyo ang binabagtas ng marami nating kababayan sa pag-commute — malalang trapik, mahaba at siksikan sa pila, mahal na pamasahe, isama pa ang matinding init o kung minsan baha, at polusyon,” the Bicolana lawmaker pointed out.
“Kaya hindi na nakapagtatakang marami ang tumatangkilik sa mga habal-habal at mga colorum. Gayumpaman, sa kabila ng naitutulong nitong mas mabilis at less hassle na biyahe, nalalagay din ang mga commuters sa alanganin at peligro.”
“Matagal nang pinag-aaralan ng gobyerno ang pagsasalegal at regulasyon ng motorcycle taxis bilang PUVs. Panahon na para isabatas at epektibong ipatupad ito na maghahatid ng ginhawa sa commuters, seguridad sa kabuhayan ng riders, at proteksyon sa mga rider at mananakay,” she added.
It can be recalled that motorcycle taxis were allowed to operate as early as 2019 under a pilot program to assess their suitability as PUVs.
Several similar bills have been filed in both chambers in the 20th Congress. Upon consultation with and the recommendation of the concerned sector, De Lima’s HB 9417 fully adopts Senator JV Ejercito’s Senate Bill No. 10.
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