The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) has given one of the three authorized motorcycle taxi operators, Angkas, a Provisional Authority to operate (PA) that will be valid starting today, November 24 until December 9, 2020.
The Provisional Authority to Operate under the extended Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program means that Angkas can now take on passengers who booked for their services. However, this is only temporary, pending confirmation of compliance to operational requirements set forth by the National Task Force (NTF) and the MC Taxi TWG. These are requirements like the provision of insurance for both rider and passenger in case of accidents, as well as the mandatory use of thermal scanners to accurately detect if the passenger has fever (for discussion with NTF).
“Pwede rin makapag-issue ang TWG sa kanila ng Certificate of Compliance bago mag-expire ‘yung PA nila in case makumpleto nila ASAP ‘yung requirements (The TWG can issue a Certificate of Compliance even before their PA expires if they can complete the requirements ASAP). Yung Certificate of Compliance will give them authority to operate during the pilot study. Once the Angkas is able to fully comply with the requirements, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued to them by the MC Taxi TWG,” said Department of Transportation (DOTr) assistant secretary, Goddes Hope Libiran.
Meanwhile, the other motorcycle taxi operators, Joyride and MoveIt, have yet to send letters to the TWG signifying their compliance with the new requirements. Once the TWG receives their letters, the TWG will conduct an inspection of their facilities to verify their compliance.
The TWG has earlier inspected Angkas’ facility and found that the company has not yet complied with two of its requirements. These include requiring MC taxi riders to have a thermal scanner on hand or completed health declaration forms (for both the rider and passenger) to check if either of them has a fever or other symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The second requirement, she said, is a confirmation that Angkas has undertaken background checks on all its riders to see if they have committed offenses or have pending cases.
“We are just waiting for Angkas to inform us of their compliance in these two remaining items. Once they confirm their compliance, we will issue a Notice to Proceed immediately,” Libiran added.
