Groups question ‘irregularities’ in review of motorcycle taxis

Transport and mobility advocate groups on Monday called on the government to address "irregularities" in the review of the proposed motorcycle taxi legislation.

In an emailed statement, the Legal Engagement Advocating for Development and Reform (LEADER) said lawmakers had enough time to act on the proposal to make permanent motorcycle taxis.

"When we were doing the first technical working group (TWG) assessment, we were very strict about the parameters that needed to be met before any service can be done," Jason Salvador, managing director of LEADER, said.

Salvador was part of the original members of the TWG that the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) previously convened to look into motorcycle taxis.

"The MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) is one of the law enforcement agencies included in the TWG so it is in our best interest to find out what is happening in the test run," added Victor Pablo Trinidad, head executive assistant and FOI decision maker of the MMDA.

"We started out the TWG with strict parameters. We need parameters or else there would be problems with graft and corruption, which is a serious offense. Papasukin natin sila sa test run pero ayon sa parameters na ginamit namin nung umpisa at naaayon sa traffic. We must level the playing field," he added.

Earlier this month, the DOTr said its TWG has recommended extending the six-month pilot run of motorcycle ride-hailing operations to allow the participation of new players.

However, commuter groups said they were not consulted by the TWG which they were originally part of.

"No single agency can just decide on allowing others to join. Both Congress and Senate should approve," Ariel Lim, head of transport advocacy group Usapang Transport Poe, said.

"Nagtaka lang kami kung bakit ganito dahil ang talagang layon namin ay hindi maging maluwag sa pagbibigay ng approval ng motorcycle taxi," Lim said. —LDF, GMA News