The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has endorsed the recommendation of the Metro Manila mayors’ council to resume the pilot study on the operation of motorcycle taxis.
In Resolution No. 76, the IATF backed the pilot study “pending enactment of the appropriate legislation authorizing the same.”
The government’s pilot study on motorcycle taxis lapsed in April.
Under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, private vehicles “shall not be used for hire under any circumstances.”
The Department of Transportation in 2018 introduced the category of transport network vehicle services which allowed the operation of Grab and Uber in the country.
However, only four-wheelers such as sedans and vans were allowed to operate as “for hire” vehicles.
Motorcycle taxis will remain illegal unless Congress recognizes them as official modes of public transportation. John Ezekiel J. Hirro