Mobility still a big national problem – Angkas head

The motorcycle industry is in its "sunrise" stage, with a growing number of Filipinos becoming self-employed through ride-hailing services or motorcycle taxis.

This was what Edwin Go, president of the Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines, told the media at the Quezon City Journalists' Forum on Tuesday. However, he emphasized the need to legitimize driving institutions to protect those who aspire to become motorcycle taxi drivers.

"Motorcycle driving schools here in our country are limited," Go said, noting that as the number of motorcycle taxis increases, so does the accident rate.

Angkas President George Royeca, who was also a guest at the forum, stressed the importance of training not just for aspiring motorcycle taxi drivers but also for existing motorcycle owners to help reduce road accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles.

"While we support the crafting of the Motorcycle Taxi Act, there should also be free training for motorcycle drivers. But the Act does not address all aspects—we need a separate law for that," Royeca explained.

"Transportation and mobility is a national problem," he added, pointing out that this is the main reason many Filipinos are turning to ride-hailing services.

Royeca said that at Angkas, riders receive free training in motorcycling and road courtesy before they are allowed to serve passengers.

"That's why at Angkas, we have a 99 percent safety record—meaning our accident rate is only 0.003 percent, according to our third-party auditor," Royeca said, highlighting the importance of proper training, which they provide for free to about 70,000 riders.

Quezon City Councilor Wency Lagumbay, head of the City Council's Committee on Ways and Means, said local government measures to curb road accidents involving motorcycles are based on national laws. However, he assured the public that the city is doing its best to ensure road safety for both commuters and drivers.

"If we had the power to accredit ride-hailing motorcycles, we could regulate them and minimize accidents," Lagumbay said.

Meanwhile, Lando Marquez of the Liga ng Transportasyon ng Pilipinas suggested that transportation laws be included in school curriculums to help prevent road accidents.