The Metro Manila Development Authority said Monday it would abide by the preliminary injunction issued by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court allowing Angkas, the motorcycle ride-hailing app, to resume its operations.
In a text message sent to media, MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia said: “We will abide by the ruling of the court. Our immediate concern is safety of the passengers.”
The Mandaluyong RTC granted the writ of preliminary injunction to Angkas, prohibiting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Department of Transportation and anyone acting on behalf of these agencies, from interfering in Angkas’ operations; apprehending Angkas bikers in legitimate pursuit of work and from performing any acts that will impede, obstruct, frustrate or defeat Angkas’ pursuit of its lawful business and trade.
In a congressional hearing of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, committee chairman Rep. Winston Castelo lauded the court order and said that it’s a welcome development for the public, as a critical transportation lifeline reopens to them.
“We know that improvements to mass transport are underway, but people cannot wait any longer for MRT-7 and the subway. They need Angkas now.”
The court order, which Angkas Operations Head David Medrana presented to the committee during the meeting, enjoins the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation “from interfering, whether directly or indirectly, with the petitioner’s operations; from apprehending Angkas bikers who are in lawful pursuit of their trade or occupation based on petitioner’s Angkas mobile application; and from performing any act or acts that will impede, obstruct, frustrate, or defeat [the] petitioner’s pursuit of its lawful business or trade as owner and operator of the Angkas mobile application.”
Angkas voluntarily suspended its operations last year after they were outlawed by the LTFRB.
However, the continued problems in the country’s mass transport system, with the constant breakdown of the MRT and the traffic gridlocks in key thoroughfares, saw the intensifying of the clamor for an alternative mode of transportation in the last few months.
This drove transport advocacy group Transport Watch to lead the clamor for better mobility and wider transport options for the Filipino commuters.
“With the current problems on transportation and mobility hounding the country’s commuters, there is a need for the immediate regulation of motorcycle taxis. It is high time for the government to allow the operation of motorcycle taxis to legitimize their services and provide a faster, more efficient, more convenient, and safer alternative to illegal habal-habals,” Transport Watch lead convenor George Royeca pointed out.