Senate urged to pass motorcycles-for-hire bill before pilot study ends

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

HB 10424 seeks to mandate the registration of motorcycles-for-hire with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure the roadworthiness of all motorcycle-for-hire before their registration, or renewal of registration. (PNA file photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Thursday urged the Senate to fast-track the passage of the bill seeking to regulate motorcycles-for-hire as the current pilot study for motorcycle taxis nears its conclusion.

In a statement, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said the pilot program, which provided legal coverage for the operations of around 60,000 “riders”, is set to end with the 19th Congress on June 30, 2025.

Gutierrez said that without the bill’s passage, these jobs would be in jeopardy, leaving riders and commuters without a regulated system.

“It is our responsibility to secure these jobs and provide a framework that not only legalizes but also regulates this mode of transportation, ensuring both safety and economic benefits for our citizens,” Gutierrez said.

The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading House Bill 10424, which seeks to allow the operation of motorcycles as common carriers for the transportation of passengers and goods, including parcels and mail.

HB 10424 seeks to mandate the registration of motorcycles-for-hire with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure the roadworthiness of all motorcycle-for-hire before their registration, or renewal of registration.

Once enacted into law, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would be given the power to regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire operating in areas where there are no operating digital platforms.

Gutierrez said the measure is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of improving transportation accessibility.

“The Motorcycles-For-Hire Act is not just about maintaining jobs; it’s about advancing our transportation infrastructure in a way that reflects our current needs and future aspirations. I urge my fellow legislators in the Senate to prioritize this legislation to prevent the loss of these vital jobs and to continue supporting an innovative solution to our urban mobility challenges.” Gutierrez said.

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, has also voiced support for the bill, urging her colleagues to prioritize its passage.

“The motorcycle-for-hire bill has been through the long and winding road to passage. Our tank is full. It’s time to start our engines and put our years of work into motion,” Poe said.