In recognition of their contribution to the Philippine transport system, popular app-based motorcycle taxi service Angkas was given the #NewPH award at this year’s Mega Equality Ball held last June 12th at Sofitel Manila.
Angkas was among the game-changers honored at publishing giant One Mega Group’s annual soiree, an official statement said.
It champions the country’s most influential personalities who have embraced and empowered Filipinos in their own field—from fashion and leadership to business and mobility.
The company was cited specifically for its role in helping Filipino commuters in their daily struggle for mobility and giving motorcycle owners a decent source of livelihood. Angkas’ founder and CEO Angeline Tham took to the stage along with Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs George Royeca to accept the award.
Speaking to MEGA prior to the event, Royeca believes that the reason for the Philippines’ 14 million motorcycles, in comparison to only 1.5 million cars, is because it is cut-rate and convenient.
“They’re simply more affordable, and if you think about it, there isn’t a proper system to educate individuals who purchase motorcycles,” Royeca noted.
Angkas is a young innovation that refuses to give up on its passion to change the way things are.
It provides the public with an alternative option to substantially cut travel time.
Its intent is to not add up to the congestion but to address it.
Tham developed the platform to provide commuters with a safe and quick way to navigate around the city.
While the motorcycle ride-hailing service is worth all salutations, convincing lawmakers of its efficiency and legitimacy hasn’t been easy for the Angkas team and its over 27,000 trained biker-partners.
With the Angkas app having been downloaded a total 1.5 million times and getting approving nods from senators and congressmen, it seems like no one can rain on Angkas’ parade.
But despite the accolades, Angkas still means business.
The company is now on a six-month pilot run in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.
In preparation for this pilot run, Angkas retrained its biker-partners to comply with the new provisions set by the Technical Working Group.
“We have set a definitive standard for our bikers. This is why 70 percent of our applicants do not pass our regular safety training and assessment.” Royeca said.
“This is so we can guarantee our loyal riders 100 percent safety in the hands of our well-trained drivers.”
Angkas has truly elevated motorcycle taxi services in the country, with a modern digital ecosystem that ensures fast booking of rides for passengers, strict monitoring of biker behavior, and a tedious safety training program for all its biker-partners.
Considering all these, the trailblazers of Angkas have become the vanguards of the local transport industry, with a service that aims to develop and prioritize the needs of the Filipino commuters.