Photo by George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday urged House lawmakers to prioritize passing a bill that would legalize motorcycle taxis, which are currently allowed on the roads as part of pilot testing for the service.

Romualdez in a statement "declared the prioritization" of House Bill 3412, which seeks to legalize the use of motorcycle taxis as a form of public transportation. The bill was introduced by Reps. Rodge Gutierrez and Bonifacio Bosita of 1Rider party-list.

"Marami na pong kababayan natin ang nabigyan ng trabaho at kabuhayan mula sa industriya ng motorcycle taxis. Panahon na pong kilalanin sila bilang responsableng bahagi ng lipunang Pilipino at mabigyan ng sapat na regulasyon para mapangalagaan ang interes ng mamamayan," he said.

Motorcycle taxi firms — such as Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It — have been operating under a pilot study since 2019.

Romualdez said his statement was a response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s support for the legalization of motorcycle taxis and for the easing of Transportation Network Vehicle Service regulations in a meeting with officials from Grab Holdings Inc. in Malacañang on Wednesday. 

The House leader also said that recognizing motorcycle taxis as a legal form of transportation will "provide more choices for passengers, drivers, and businesses, particularly MSMEs."

"This approach not only addresses the demand for more accessible public transport but also contributes to the economic recovery and employment opportunities in the country," Romualdez said.

Legalizing motorcycle taxis eyed after 4-year pilot study