Congress may legalize Angkas and motorcycle-riding apps soon

Angkas and other motorcycle-riding apps may soon operate again as the House of Representatives passed on a bill that would regulate the use motorcycles as a mode of public transport.

Angkas app

Angkas is back?

As a quick recap, there's a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued in December 2018 by the Supreme Court (SC) stopped the operations of Angkas.

House Bill (HB) 8959 titled An Act Allowing and Regulating the Use of Motorcycles as Public Utility Vehicles is designed to amend old Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

According to Section 7(c) of R.A. 4136, private motorcycles, scooters, or motor wheel attachments […] shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay."

The new proposed law will revise this provision to allow motorcycle-riding apps such as Angkas (also known as Habal-Habal) roam the streets again, legally this time.

What do you guys think?

Sources: Inquirer