ANGKAS, TAXI INDRIVE STILL BANNED IN BAGUIO CITY

February 4, 2023 Community Billboard

BAGUIO CITYMotorcycle riders operating as public transport vehicle called “angkas” including the InDive application being used by taxi to get passengers similar to Grab, are still banned in Baguio
City because the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Cordillera has not sanctioned its operation. Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong asked LTFRB Cordillera Regional Director Lalaine Sobremonte to take action on the issue of motorcycle angkas and the ‘highest bidder scheme’ of InDrive taxi app.

In her reply to the mayor, Sobremonte said the motorcycle angkas is not safe especially with Baguio’s uphill terrain. In a Facebook post by LTFRB-CAR, the agency warns the public on the use of motorcycles operating as public utility vehicle in Baguio City. “At present, there is no law allowing motorcycle taxis to ply the streets and carry commuters. Motorcycle taxis have yet to be officially legalized as a form of public transportation and are currently operating under a pilot study in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. To date, there are no authorized motorcycle taxi operators in the city of Baguio,” the LTFRB-CAR said in its official FB page.

“The riding public is urged to refrain from patronizing any individual and company providing motorcycle-for-hire services,” LTFRB also said. Sobremonte added that LTFRB is still waiting for the House of Representatives to pass a law amending provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code that mandates registered private motorcycles, scooters, or motor wheel attachments shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay. Private vehicles do not have a certificate of public convenience required from PUVs by the LTFRB to before they can operate as public utility vehicles.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB also warns against patronizing the InDrive taxi app and Maxim which were recently declared as “colorum” for offering transport network vehicle service (TNVS) without any accreditation as transport network companies (TNC). InDrive operates in Baguio, Bacolod, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro and sets fare prices through real time bidding, with passengers giving a proposed fare and the driver making a counteroffer. Magalong has ordered the
apprehension of violators.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN