Bill regulating motorcycle taxis gets House nod on 2nd reading

MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on second reading on Tuesday a bill seeking to regulate the operation of motorcycle taxis and motorcycle delivery services.

Under House Bill 10424, a motorcycle intended to be used as a motorcycle-for-hire to carry passengers or goods, must be duly registered with the Land Transportation Office, and the LTO shall ensure their roadworthiness before registration. Among the requirements for the grant of a franchise or certificate of public convenience are proof of Filipino citizenship, financial capacity, tax identification number or certificate of registration as common carrier, and insurance coverage for the death or injuries suffered by the rider, passenger or any third party, and for incidents of damage to property during the operation.

According to the measure, the fares, surcharges and other transportation fees that may be charged by operators for motorcycle-for-hire services shall be in accordance with the fare structure determined by the LTFRB, in consultation with industry stakeholders.

“The fare structure shall take into consideration supply and demand components and shall allow dynamic pricing on account of market variations based on location and time,” the bill stated.

In case of death, injury, or damage to property that occurred in the course of operating a motorcycle-for-hire, the operator and the motorcycle taxi platform provider or online e-commerce platform provider shall be jointly liable, with rights of subrogation against any party at fault.