By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
Correspondent
AN organized public transport group on Thursday protested moves to allow motorcycle-hailing services company Angkas and two others to expand operations in the city.
It claimed those opposing the moves have brought the matter to city hall and local officials have been supporting their cause so far.
This came even as Angkas positioned itself in anticipation of its planned expansion to this city.
Luzminda Lalaine Escobidal, chairperson of the PN Roa Canitoan Transport Cooperative, said allowing Angkas to do business in the city would impact on the earnings of public vehicle drivers.
“Angkas would affect our income. We are paying millions for our fleet. How will we able to pay for our units? We have invested so much,” she said.
Escobidal said her organization and three other public utility transport groups have petitioned the city council manifesting their opposition to the Angkas operation here.
She said the city government has expressed its support to their petition.
Aminoden Guro, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said it would be up to the Department of Transportation’s technical working group to consider the petition of those against the operation of Angkas and other motorcycle-hailing services app companies here.
Angeline Tham, chief executive officer of Angkas, said they have already complied with the requirements set by the TWG.
The TWG has issued a guideline allowing three bike-hailing providers–Angkas, JoyRide and MoveIt–to operate in three pilot areas in the country (Cagayan de Oro, Metro Manila, and Metro Cebu) as part of the government’s viability study that would end March 23.
Guro said the TWG has approved 3,000 units, or a thousand per player, to operate here.
He said Angkas has already submitted the documentary requirements to the TWG.
“[Our bikers] are compliant and they have registered with the LTFRB, so we’re looking forward to joining in the study,” Tham told reporters during her courtesy visit to the LTFRB-10 office Thursday.
She said the operation of Angkas is not a new concept since “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) has already been in existence in some parts of Mindanao for decades.
“What we’re doing is not anything different. What we are trying to do is trying to professionalize the ‘habal-habal’ industry to make things safer, more efficient, provide training and insurance to the bikers and passengers,” Tham said.
Guro said the LTFRB would allow Angkas to operate as soon as the Board has inspected the motorcycles.
“We still need to inspect the units. After that, Angkas will be allowed to operate in Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
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