House OKs bill regulating motorcycles-for-hire

MANILA, Philippines — A bill regulating motorcycles-for-hire was approved Tuesday on third and final reading by the House of Representatives, voting 200-1 with no abstention.

House Bill 10424 allows the operation of motorcycles as common carriers of passengers and goods, including parcels and mail.

“The House acknowledges that motorcycles-for-hire not just serve as an efficient alternative to mass public transportation, but also a viable source of livelihood for Filipinos,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

“This bill aims to provide a safe, sufficient and economical mode of public transport by allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles,” he added.

HB 10424 would mandate the registration of motorcycles-for-hire with the Land Transportation Office to ensure roadworthiness.

A speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour would be imposed on motorcycles-for-hire.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire in areas where there are no operating digital platforms.

The number of routes or units that may be allowed to operate would be based on the local public transport route plan recommended by local government units.

The bill also sets requirements for the grant of a franchise or the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience.

Motorcycle taxi platform providers and online e-commerce platform providers would be required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fares, surcharges and other fees that may be charged by operators and digital platforms would be prescribed by the LTFRB.

Operators and digital platforms would be held liable for deaths, injuries or damage to property that may occur during the motorcycle-for-hire service.

Some of the measure’s principal authors are Reps. Rachael Marguerite Del Mar, Luis Villafuerte, Ramon Gutierrez, Zia Alonto Adiong, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Brian Yamsuan, Rufus Rodriguez, Joel Chua, Salvador Pleyto, Romeo Acop, Midy Cua and Antonio Albano.