Angkas accuses DOTr's TWG on motorbike taxi of corruption

The Angkas regulatory and public affairs head on Sunday accused the Department of Transportation’s motorcycle taxi technical working group (TWG) of corruption over new regulation policies covering the ride-hailing service.

“Hindi po regulasyon ang ginagawa ng TWG. Korapsyon po ito,” Angkas' George Royeca said in a press conference in Quezon City.

Senator Imee Marcos also criticized the DOTr for formulating policies on motorcycle taxi service providers “without proper consultation or debate.”

She said the DOTr shut out the Senate, House of Representatives, Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, motorbike taxi companies, and commuter associations when it conducted a series of closed-door meetings since November on the second phase of the motorcycle taxi pilot run.

Royeca expressed suspicions over the recent actions of the TWG.

“Anong pong nangyayari? Bakit pinaspasan niyo ‘yung evaluation? Bakit tinanggal lahat ng stake holders. Bakit pinipilit ang 17, 000 bikers na tanggalin sa Angkas?” he asaid.

“To force our bikers to leave Angkas by way of regulation is anti-competition. This is not regulation. This is corruption,” pointed out.

The TWG extended the six-month pilot run of motorcycle ride-hailing operations, with the inclusion of two new players JoyRide and Move It.

It also presented new policies for service providers including setting a cap of 30,000 bikers for Metro Manila and 9,000 for Metro Cebu, which will be split evenly among three competitors

According to Marcos, these new policies were approved only by the “exclusive TWG” headed by Antonio Gardiola Jr., with representatives from the DoTr and its line agencies, including the LTFRB and Land Transportation Office.

Motorcycle taxi pioneer Angkas has 27,000 partner-bikers. With the new provision, 17,000 partner-bikers will not be able to provide service to comply with the 10,000 cap for each company.

The TWG also suggested that some of Angkas partner-bikers should be transferred to the new motorcycle taxi providers, Royeca said.

Due to these concerns, Angkas riders converged at White Plains in Quezon City on Sunday morning to stage a protest action. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News