Angkas drivers ask LTFRB to intervene on 'sudden' dismissal

A number of motorcycle taxi riders from Angkas appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for mediation following their sudden dismissal, amid a Senate hearing on the platform's professional licensing.

In a radio interview, Achillis Librinca, a dismissed rider, said that his non-professional license was accepted during the onboarding process.

“When I joined Angkas 10 months ago, I was able to carry passengers as a mototaxi Driver. They activated me with the promise of helping me transition to a (professional) license. However, months have passed and I never got a word from them so I thought everything was fine,” Librinca said.

However, a day following the Senate hearing last week, Librinca said he and more than 100 drivers in his area were removed from Angkas.

“We did not even receive a text message or a call. A day after the Senate hearing, I was informed by my friend that we were deactivated. I checked and it was true,” he said.

Librinca said that while Angkas points out its compliance with the LTFRB’s pilot program regulations, its internal processes lack transparency and proper guidance regarding license upgrades.

“I even contacted their support team to ask how to upgrade my license. But the answers were vague and unhelpful. They would call about deductions for my uniform, but when it comes to upgrading my license, they are silent,” he said.

The pilot program of the LTFRB for motorcycle taxis orders professional driver’s licenses for riders to ensure safety and adherence to public transport standards.

The dismissed riders also appealed to the LTFRB to hold motorcycle taxi companies accountable on the proper education of drivers during onboarding.

They added that compliance should not rest solely on them, particularly when companies allegedly fail to communicate the rules.

“We are not rich so we are calling on the LTFRB to help us fix this. We hope that the LTFRB will really focus on the company’s program because there really are many drivers who still have non-professional licenses,” Librinca said, adding that dismissed drivers are willing to upgrade their licenses and comply with requirements should given the opportunity to return to Angkas.

In a statement, Angkas CEO George Royeca said that all of its riders go through professional training.

"All our bikers undergo professional training. Our training program meets the highest standards in the industry and is even adopted by TESDA. We take pride in our safety record, which exceeds 99%, and the only record that is validated by a reputable audit firm," he said.

"To ensure we maintain these industry-leading safety standards, we deactivate bikers for a variety of reasons when necessary," he added.

Royeca said Angkas will be ready to address the matter through the proper venue.

"Should any complaints be raised with our regulators, we are fully prepared to address them through the proper channels."

The motorcycle ride hailing company was also questioned at a Senate hearing last week over complaints of customers on the questionable sanitary conditions of their passenger helmets.

Following this, the LTFRB has issued a show cause order on Angkas, operated by DBDOYC Inc., for allegedly breaching the government-mandated rider cap for motorcycle taxis.

Sought for comment, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz said the accusations against Angkas are very serious.

“If a TNC or PUV company allows a non pro driver to use these cars in ferrying passengers, that’s a ground for a possible suspension or revocation of their franchise. Bawal ‘yun (That is now allowed) because it’s a safety issue,” he said.

“We’re investigating that. We are taking the accounts who were off board. If can just get one to execute a written statement, that is sufficient enough to suspend the TNC,” he added.

House probe

Meanwhile, a resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking a probe into the alleged improper implementation of senior citizen and persons with disabilities (PWD) discounts by Grab and other ride-hailing and food delivery companies.

Senior Citizens Party-List Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said Grab and other transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) shifted to their drivers the burden of shouldering the 20% discount for senior citizens and PWDs.

“This conduct by ride-hailing and food delivery applications is utterly deplorable, as it constitutes criminal and exploitative behavior,” Ordanes said, adding that these companies must be suspended if found guilty.

During the hearing of the Committee on Public Services, Gregorio Ramon Tingson, Grab’s Head of Public Affairs, confirmed that their drivers shoulder the 20% discount given to PWDs, senior citizens, and students.

“Alinsunod po kasi sa batas, ang driver po (According to the law, it should be shouldered by the dirver),” Tingson said, referring to the Memorandum Circular 2018-004 issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

However, Guadiz contradicted Tingson and said that TNCs should shoulder the 20% discount.

The LTFRB chairman said they will be conducting an investigation into the matter.

“May I request a statement from the driver, and we will give them a show cause, and if the evidence warrants, we will issue an appropriate suspension of their franchise,” Guadiz said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News