Angkas lobbies to 'senatoriables' for welfare of 18-M bikers

MANILA: The Angkas Safety Fiesta brought together Angkas bikers and senatorial candidates from different political parties to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of the 18-million-strong biker community.

The event, which was held in Cainta, Rizal, gathered 3,000 bikers. It also highlighted the leading ride-hailing service provider's readiness to provide alternative transportation in the event that Metro Manila's pre-pandemic traffic returns following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

In a statement, Angkas Chief Executive Officer George Royeca said, “An estimated 99% of motorcycle owners are low-income breadwinners. Motorcycles are at the center of their road to economic freedom and financial independence. 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.”

In 2016, Angkas paved the way for the motorcycle taxi business, providing legitimacy and professional regulation to tens of thousands of habal-habal riders who had previously been made illegal by the government. On a daily basis, motorcycle bikers face numerous problems, including lack of bike-friendly infrastructure, livelihood benefits, and a proper framework to safeguard them from being perceived 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,” Royeca stated.

Free legal service counsel and senatorial candidate Chel Diokno backed this up, saying, “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 believes that Angkas can help resuscitate the economy in the same way as Thailand's bike counterpart has contributed to its successful 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 have visited Bangkok many times… In Bangkok, Angkas’ counterpart was the reason for the revitalization of Thailand’s economy and tourism),” Roque said.

Seeking re-election to the Senate this year, JV Ejercito, a longstanding supporter of Angkas and a cyclist and biker himself, verified Angkas' contributions to economic growth. “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),” Ejercito stated.

One of Angkas' early roadblocks to widespread acceptance was the popular misconception that motorcycles are particularly hazardous. To combat this, Angkas offered free training to over 150,000 potential riders, 70% of whom eventually failed. Despite millions of rides, the firm has retained a 99.997% safety record as a consequence of its stringent standards. This prompted the government to reconsider its position on motorcycles and contemplate legalizing the motorcycle taxi industry.

The Angkas business model's success, combined with its strict safety training routine, has resulted in tens of thousands of new biker entrepreneurs earning at least P1,500 to P2,000 per day or P45,000 to P60,000 per month, more than three times the minimum wage. Best of all, because they are self-employed, these bikers have control over their working hours and can devote more time to other priorities, such as family.

“Today, there are an estimated 18 million motorcycle owners, 99% of whom are low-income earners and breadwinners. 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 incomparable energy and time-efficient mobility and logistics services,” Royeca said.

As the country advances past COVID-19 and into the rebuilding phase, motorcycles will continue to play an important role. Senatorial aspirant Sonny Trillanes said, “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.”

Meanwhile, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar praised Angkas' achievements, saying, “‘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).”

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is seeking re-election, emphasized the importance of maintaining a regular dialog with the motorcycle entrepreneur sector in order to understand its members' needs and address them through proper legislation. “Napakahalaga ng inyong boses para matukoy natin ano ang mga pangangailangan at problema at paano ito matutugunan ng mga maayos na batas (Your voice is very important in order for us to address your needs and struggles and solve them through appropriate legislation),” Sen. Hontiveros stated.

Motorcycle entrepreneurs proved beneficial to the economy in general, and to people's daily lives in particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in the strictest lockdowns, motorcycles have been the very engine that has driven the economy. Former Ifugao governor and senatorial candidate Teddy Baguilat of the Liberal Party said, “They kept us afloat during the lockdowns.”

Angkas bikers, in particular, have served as heroes, offering essential services to those in need, supporting and collaborating with various government agencies, and making sure that the frontline workers get to hospitals and back to their homes quickly and safely.

Senatorial aspirant Dr. Minguita Padilla recommended some 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-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),” Dr. Padilla stated.

Baguilat also said that through his conversations with tricycle drivers, he found out that part shortages for their motorcycles have become an issue. “We have to look into how we can manufacture locally made spare parts kung kakayanin (if possible),” he said.

Senatorial aspirant and actor Robin Padilla, who is also an avid rider and is running under Uniteam, stated that fuel prices are the main issue for bikers. He made a promise 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),” Padilla said.

“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,” Royeca pointed out. “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,” Royeca added. “At the end of the day, ‘yun lang po (that is 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 kriminal (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.”

Other notable senatoriables who addressed the crowd were Senator Win Gatchalian represented by Jerry Esplana; Congresswoman Cristal Bagatsing, John Castriciones, Samira Gutoc, Alex Lacson represented by wife Pia Lacson, Greco Belgica, and Ariel Lim. The Abante Pilipinas Party List also spoke to the crowd. Senatorial aspirant Jopet Sison also graced the event. Senatorial candidates Alan Peter Cayetano and Joel Villanueva both sent supportive remarks.

Image from Angkas

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