Angkas CEO formalizes party-list bid; vows protection of workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ride-hailing platform Angkas George Royeca on Saturday vowed for the protection of informal workers as Angkasangga Party-list filed its certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona).

Sitting as Angkasangga Party-list’s first nominee, Royeco said that there should be a proper system and policies to protect motorcycle owners and ride-hailing riders.

“Ito po ay nagmula sa paglalaban na sinusulong po natin yung sistema para sa impormal na manggagawa partikular po dito ang mga hanay ng kagulungan,” Royeco said in a speech.

(This came from our fight to push for a system for the informal workers, particularly for the motorcycle riders.)

The CEO also said that as there are a lot of motorcycle riders working in different ride-hailing platforms, there needs to be laws and regulations to protect them.

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“Marami po sa kanila ang ginagamit ang motorsiklo para sa kanilang hanapbuhay. Napakalaki po ng hanay na ito at dapat pong magkaroon ng tamang sistema, tamang polisya, isabatas po itong mga klase ng regulasyon para maprotektahan, hindi lang maprotekatahan pero maempower natin ang 18 million motorcycle owners dahil sila po ay nagcocontibute sa ating ekonomiya,” Royeco added.

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(Many of them use motrocycle as their source of livelihood. This is a huge sector and they should have proper systems, policies and these regulations should be enacted into law to not just protect but empower our 18 million motorcycle owners because they contribute to our economy.)

In 2019, a pilot program regulated by a Technical Working group led by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board allowed ride-hailing platforms like Angkas, Joyride, and later on MoveIt to operate as motorcycle taxis.

READ: Bill seeking to regulate motorcycle taxi ops gets House’s nod

House Bill No. 10424, or the proposed Motorcycles for Hire Act was approved by the House of Representatives on the third and final reading last July.

According to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, it seeks to “provide safe, sufficient, and economical mode of public transport by allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.”

Further, Royeco underscored the importance of giving the informal workers enough recognition for their work.

“Ito pong informal workers ay araw-araw nagtrabaho sa kanilang pamilya at ang kailangan po nila ay recognition. And if we give them recognition, we assure to empower them not just of government benefits but the dignity of their profession,” he noted.

(These informal workers work every day for their families and they need recognition. And if we give them recognition, we assure to empower them not just of government benefits but the dignity of their profession.)

He also shared that aside from the motorcycle riders, economy workers will benefit from the advocacies they will push through.

As the ride-hailing platform CEO filed the party-list’s Cona, Angkas riders trooped outside the Manila Hotel Tent City to express their support for the party-list bid. For Bernadette Baquizai, Angkas rider for three years, they want to have a voice in the Congress.

“Magiging magaan kapag nanalo ang amang Angkas kasi syempre kung ano ‘yong hinihingi naming benepisyo, mayroon na po kaming boses sa kongreso.

(It will be good if Angkas wins because whatever benefits we ask for, we will have a voice in the Congress.)

The lady rider said that she hopes for motorcycle taxi riders to not be degraded by just doing their jobs. Baquizai also shared that being a motorcycle taxi driver is not easy.

READ: MMDA logs 17.3% increase in motorcycle-related crashes in 2023

“”Yong pagiging rider hindi madali, sobrang hirap. Kahit lalaki, nahihirapan. Bilang lady rider, go lang para sa pamilya,” she added.

(Being a rider is not easy, it is so difficult. Even men find it hard. As a lady rider, I endure it for the family.)