ILOILO City – Despite lacking government regulation and legal standing, franchise-less or colorum motorcycle taxis are gaining popularity in this city, with many commuters now considering them a necessity — relying on their speed, convenience, and affordability, especially during rush hours and late-night shifts.
“Dasig, deretso-deretso,” said Gil, a call center agent working the night shift, describing how riders help her reach work on time by maneuvering through traffic.
However, she was quick to add a caveat: “Indi. [It’s not legal.] As much as I find it convenient, I don’t want to condone it.” She emphasized that regulatory and franchising issues should be addressed by proper authorities.
Fellow passenger Anne, who has been using the service for five months now, echoed the convenience: “Very efficient, kay mas dasig compared sa ibang transportasyon, and mas barato kaysa sa iban nga booking transport.”
She explained that motorcycle taxi bookings are done online — typically through social media — adding that administrators of these online platforms help monitor bookings to prevent so-called “ghost riders.”
For another night-shift worker known as Sugar, motorcycle taxis are a game changer.
“Accessible bisan ano oras, 24/7, barato,” she said, noting that she books motor taxis almost every night.
Yet she, too, expressed concern over the legal grey area in which motorcycle taxies operate” “Legally, indi eh… Pero if may isa ka person sa organization mag-push ka franchise, they should work on it. Mag-focus sila in pushing the legalization franchise, because they are earning a lot from it and need the job, especially for part-timers.”
Sugar warned of the risks riders and passengers face without legal protection: “Kon ma-disgrasya ka sa motorcycle taxi, wala ka lagson since wala sila franchise,” referring to the lack of accountability in case of accidents.
Still, what makes motorcycle taxis appealing, riders said, are their accessibility, speed, and affordability. “You are the priority,” Gil said. “There are no stops; you go straight to your destination.”
Anne added that the platform is ease of use: “Mas dasig siya, under five minutes maka-book ka na ride.”
But Sugar noted that it’s best to book with a known or familiar rider: “One click, one ride. But it is really advised to always contact imo nga suki kag kilala nga rider para safe.”
When asked about the recent sexual harassment case involving a rider, Gil admitted, “Indi ko aware about sa case pero sure ko dako gid ang epekto sa iban nga drivers kay dalahig ila nga image.”
Anne said such incidents affect trust, and passengers should “double check before mag-book.”
Sugar was more direct: “Syempre, ang reflection sa tawo sa rider subong is someone nga not reliable… delikado sa safety if may mga muna pa gid klase tawo.”
As for fares, commuters said rates typically range from P50 to P200 depending on distance. Anne noted that her trip from school to the terminal usually costs about P120, compared to P300-P400 for a Grab or taxi. Sugar’s typical fare is around P50-P100, while Gil said hers can go up to P200 but is still cheaper than taxi fares.
For all three passengers, motorcycle taxis has become a reliable and economical alternative.
“They provide fast and reliable transportation solution, especially in traffic-congested urban areas,” said Gil. “It helps commuters save time, offers livelihood opportunities for riders, and promotes efficient mobility in cities where public transport is often limited or overcrowded.”
Anne added, “As a customer, convenient siya, ta’s dasig man especially if traffic kag mas tipid.”
Law enforcement and transportation authorities have reiterated that Angkas remains unregulated due to the lack of a legal franchise. Passengers, however, are now urging Angkas groups to take steps toward legalization — not only to secure their livelihood but also to ensure commuter safety and accountability./PN
