Angkas Unites Senatorial Candidates For The Welfare Of 18M Bikers
“Today, there are an estimated 18-million motorcycle owners, 99% of whom are low-income earners and breadwinners,” shared Angkas CEO George Royeca.
“Should they be given legitimacy as a sector, they will certainly be a formidable economic force that will provide adequately for their families, as well as help revive the economy by providing incomparably energy and time-efficient mobility and logistics services.”
3,000 bikers attended the recently concluded event in Cainta organized by Angkas to signal the trailblazing ride-hailing service provider’s preparation to provide alternative transportation to commuters. The initiative is for the imminent return of pre-pandemic traffic in Metro Manila following the lowering of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government.
“An estimated 99% of motorcycle owners are low-income breadwinners. Motorcycles are at the center of their road to economic freedom and financial independence,” explained Royeca. “It is for this reason that we have invited candidates from every party. The welfare and livelihoods of 18 million Filipinos---and the families they support---are issues that cut through party divisions and affect all of us. Whatever your political inclinations are, we hope that 18 million kagulongs are part of the national agenda,” he added.
Angkas pioneered the motorcycle taxi industry in 2016 and gave the beginnings of legitimacy and professional regulation to tens and thousands of habal-habal riders who were previously criminalized by the government. Many challenges still face motorcycle bikers on a daily basis from lack of bike-friendly infrastructure, livelihood benefits, and the proper system to protect them from being regarded and treated as second-class citizens on the road. “There are 18 million bikers in the country, three times the number of cars. Unfortunately, roads are not optimized for bikers,” pointed out Royeca.
Free legal service counsel and senatoriable Chel Diokno supported this, saying that “...the transport policy of the government should be about moving people, not cars. The government has prioritized building more highways for cars, while we should be focusing more on how to move people to get where they need to get, in the shortest possible time. … Motorcycles are really suited to that role. But of course, we need to develop our mass transit system as well.”
Former presidential spokesman and senatorial candidate Harry Roque pointed out that Angkas can help revitalize the economy similar to the way that its bike counterpart in Thailand has been key to its thriving tourism industry: “Napakadaming beses akong nakarating ng Bangkok … Dahil sa Bangkok ‘yung kanilang counterpart na Angkas ang dahilan kung bakit sumigla ang turismo at ekonomiya ng Thailand.” (I’ve visited Bangkok many times … In Bangkok, Angkas’ counterpart was the reason for the revitalization of Thailand’s economy and tourism.”)
Seeking a return to the Senate this year, JV Ejercito, a longtime supporter of Angkas and a biker himself, confirmed Angkas’ contributions to the economy, addressing them directly: “\...Kung wala kayo... malamang lalo nang bumagsak ang ating ekonomiya. Kayo ang bumuhay sa ekonomiya habang tayo ay ni-lockdown...at may-pandemiya.” (If you weren’t around … the economy could have further deteriorated. You are the ones who kept the economy alive especially during the lockdowns and the pandemic.”)
Among Angkas’ first hurdles to wide acceptance was the common perception that motorcycles are inherently unsafe. To overcome this, Angkas provided free training for over 150,000 applicant bikers, 70% of whom actually failed. As a result of its uncompromising standards, the company has maintained a safety rating of 99.997% even after millions of rides. This convinced the government to take a second look at the motorcycle-riding sector and consider legitimizing the motorcycle taxi industry.
The success of the Angkas business model complemented by its strict safety training protocol has led to tens of thousands of new biker entrepreneurs who make at least PHP 1,500-2,000 a day or PHP 45k-60k monthly which is up to three times the minimum wage. Best of all, because they are entrepreneurs, these bikers control their working hours and have time for other important things such as family time.
Bikers’ roles remain as vital as the country moves past COVID-19 and on to the challenge of rebuilding. Hopeful returnee Senator Sonny Trillanes explained: “We will be more and more dependent on motorcycles for logistics. It’s very convenient, and people have discovered that convenience. You cannot put the paste back into the tube. It’s for the betterment of society, because it's less costly.”
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar acknowledged Angkas’ accomplishment: “...’Yung presence ninyo, naiba ang landscape ng transportation sa Metro Manila pati na sa buong Pilipinas.” (“Your presence changed the transportation landscape of Metro Manila, and the whole country’).
Seeking re-election, Senator Risa Hontiveros cited the need to constantly dialog with the motorcycle entrepreneur sector to learn their needs, and address these in the form of appropriate legislation: “Napakahalaga ng inyong boses para matukoy natiin ano ang mga pangangailangan at problema. At paano ito matutugunan ng mga maayos na batas.”
In the time of COVID-19, motorcycle entrepreneurs proved invaluable to the economy in general, and in the day-to-day lives of people in particular. Motorcycles have been the very engine that has been driving commerce even in the strictest lockdowns. Former Ifugao governor and senatorial candidate Teddy Baguilat of the Liberal Party pointed out: “They kept us afloat during the lockdowns.”
Angkas bikers in particular have stepped up and become heroes providing critical services to those who need them, supporting and partnering with different government agencies, and ensuring that our frontliners get fast and safe to the hospitals and back to their homes, often at great personal risk.
Senatorial candidate Dr. Minguita Padilla suggested potentially life-saving applications for motorcycle entrepreneurs: “Sa medical emergencies. nakikita niyo ang mga ambulansya na stuck sa traffic pero ang motorcycles pwedeng dumaan sa traffic. At sa ibang bansa ay ginagamit na sila, pang first-aid, pang mga emergency med vehicles.” (In medical emergencies we often see ambulances stuck in traffic, but motorbikes can easily get through traffic. In other countries, motorcycles are already used as emergency medical vehicles.)
Baguilat noted from conversations with tricycle drivers that spare part shortages for their motorbikes have become a problem: “We have to look into how we can manufacture locally made spare parts kung kakayanin (if possible).”
Senatoriable and actor Robin Padilla who is running for Uniteam and who is also an avid biker, pointed out that fuel prices are bikers’ biggest problem. He vowed to do something about it: “Mga ‘tol, isa lang ang ipapangako ko sa inyo. ‘Pag ako pinagkatiwalaan ninyo na mailuklok niyo na maging senador niyo at maging boses niyo, isa lang ‘tol. Gagawa tayo ng pambansang gasolinahan. Ibig sabihin hindi na dapat ‘yan i-tax ng gobyerno.” (Brothers, I have only one promise to you. If you trust me and elect me as your Senator, and allow me to act as your voice, we will establish a nationalized fuel company. This means fuel will not be taxed by the government.)
“While our primary concern today is the welfare of 18 million motorcycle riders, we are by no means suggesting that they be given a handout,” emphasized Royeca. “For many logistical and mobility-related tasks, there is absolutely no substitute for motorcycles. They have always been and have become even more vital to commerce in the country. Yet to this day, bikers are second-class citizens, both on the road and legally. Their livelihoods don’t enjoy protection from the law despite their significant economic contribution.”
“To the 18 million people that are depending on two wheels for their livelihoods, we want you to have the proper representation and good champions who will really look at what you’re doing, how you can thrive, how you can be better, and also fight for your rights,” said Royeca, addressing the motorcycle-riding public. “At the end of the day yun lang po (that’s all we want), sana po hindi na po sila (that they no longer be) second-class citizens. Sana po hindi na po sila tignan bilang mga criminal (it would be good if they were no longer regarded as criminals). This is something that we will always be fighting for until we are able to establish that,” he concluded.
The other candidates who are also present during the event were Congresswoman Cristal Bagatsing of Manila City’s 5th District; Senatorial hopefuls Jopet Sison, John Castriciones, Samira Gutoc, Senator Win Gatchalian represented by Jerry Esplana; Alex Lacson represented by wife Pia Lacson, Greco Belgica, Ariel Lim; and the Abante Pilipinas Party List. Although not present, Senatorial cxandidates Alan Peter Cayetano and Joel Villanueva also xpressed support by sending their respective messages.
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