THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) will await the recommendation of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on the merits of using motorcycles-for-hire.
At the same time, LTO 7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said that they will ensure that these recommendations will help to ensure the safety of the passengers and the riding public.
Caindec said that in his interpretation, the one announced by Rep. Raul V. Del Mar that the House of Representatives agreed or approved in principle (his House bill) is exactly just that.
“It was just a verbal discussion. Now the DOTr maintains the move to allow motorcycle for commercial use, especially in the purpose of carrying passengers, needs a thorough study,” Caindec said.
Caindec added that the study also include the side of the manufacturers, road safety practitioners and experts, as well as other stakeholders.
“Sa laktod pang istorya, it is not something that can be discussed in a very fast manner. While the TWG (Technical Working Group) has already convened to discuss those details. I don't think that that is something that can be addressed very soon,” Caindec said.
“Having said that,” Caindec said, “we are of the position that continued operation of Angkas and Habal-Habal remain to be illegal.”
Caindec said he discussed with DOTr Undersecretary Mark de Leon on the matter. De Leon told him that the position primarily of DOTr that because motorcycle-for-hire is not allowed under RA 4136, until that law is repealed or amended, then DOTr cannot recommend to legalize Angkas or Habal-Habal.
DOTr created a TWG to study the feasibility of motorcycles as a mode of passenger transportation after Reps. Raul V. Del Mar and Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City North and South, respectively.
The same tenor of House bill was filed by then congressman Pastor Alcover Jr. (now Cebu City councilor) but did not pass into law. (EOB)