MC Taxi Law remains unpassed six years after Pilot Study launch
Motorcycles, by design, offer an easy and efficient way for riders and their passengers to get from point A to point B. Considering the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other key Philippine cities, which consistently ranked among the worst in the world, using motorcycles to ferry passengers simply makes sense, and it’s precisely why the Motorcycle Taxi (MC Taxi) has become an indispensable alternative mode of transportation for countless commuters.
Yet, more than six years have passed since the Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study was established, and a permanent MC Taxi Law has yet to be enacted. Without this law in place, nearly 70,000 riders remain in limbo, at risk of losing their livelihoods should the government decide to terminate the ongoing pilot program.
MC Taxi Law urgent
Without a Motorcycle Taxi Law, the industry remains exposed, putting both riders and passengers at risk, says Romeo Maglunsod, Chairman of Motorcycle Community Philippines, which is a group composed of MC Taxi riders.
“Sa loob ng apat na congressional sessions, ay hindi pa rin talaga ma-legal legal itong hanap buhay na ‘to. Ang masakit dun, habang tumatagal yung pagsasa-legal ng MC Taxi, parami ng parami yung mga naliligaw ng landas…MC taxi dati, nung gumawa sila ng pagkakamali sa mga [iba’t ibang] MC Taxi apps, nag-habal habal na lang sila. Naka-uniporme sila ng MC Taxi, [pero] hindi na sila sumusunod sa tamang proseso.
(In four congressional sessions, this livelihood still hasn’t been legalized. What’s worse is that the longer the legalization of MC Taxis takes, the more riders go astray. Many who used to be legitimate MC Taxi riders have turned to operating as illegal habal-habal after issues arose with various MC Taxi apps. They still wear their MC Taxi uniforms, but no longer follow the proper process.)
Maglunsod also explained that their original appeal to legislators was simple: to eliminate illegal operations. However, they lamented that the prolonged delay in passing the proposed Motorcycle Taxi Law has instead pushed the entire sector into a gray area, making everyone technically “illegal.” As a result, they said, compliance with proper processes has declined. He also stressed that their primary objective remains unchanged, which is to ensure the safety and protection of riders, passengers, and app providers alike, adding that this is precisely why the issue calls for urgent action.
As of July 2024, House Bill (HB) No. 10424 or the Motorcycles-for-Hire Bill, has completed its third and final reading in Congress.
