ILOILO City – As motorcycle taxi services — popularly known as “angkas” — continue to operate without formal regulation in this city, drivers are calling for recognition and legal integration rather than being treated as violators, amid rising demand for their services and recent public safety concerns.
Despite lacking franchises and technically considered colorum, these riders say they provide an essential and practical alternative mode of transport for commuters — and a lifeline for themselves.
“Padayon kami as rider kay wala pa sang ubra…Dira madasig makakita kwarta sa matinlo na paagi bisan wala franchise,” said “Jobert”, a driver who has been working the roads for nearly two years.
His daily earnings range from ₱800 to over ₱2,000 — income he says is crucial for his family’s needs.
For riders like “Alex”, who has been an angkas driver for a year, the job is the only source of income.
“Kun indi kami magbiyahe, wala kami kita sa pang-adlaw-adlaw namon,” he stressed.
He noted that even with rising gas prices, their earnings are enough to cover fuel and daily expenses.
Others, like working student “Jan-Jan”, treat angkas work as a sideline, but one that makes a big difference.
“Like sa akon nga student, may ara gid sila (student-drivers) nga opportunity. Indi ka na magpangayo sa imo ginikanan. Bali nahimo ko ini nga sideline ang pagpasada ko,” he said.
He added that many angkas riders have taken it upon themselves to secure barangay and National Bureau of Investigation clearances, but that all must have driver’s licenses to operate responsibly.
The appeal of motorcycle taxis lies in their affordability and speed, and specifically getting around traffic congestion. For a four-kilometer ride, the fare is around ₱55 in this city and any additional distance cost only ₱10 more, significantly lower than traditional taxis.
“Mas dasig kag mas brato kaysa sa iban na booking transpo,” said frequent passenger Anne, who gave angkas a high rating for convenience. “You can navigate through traffic much faster because motortaxis are smaller.”
Drivers use Facebook pages and Messenger to book passengers, and it is estimated that there are more than a thousand such riders operating in the city under informal networks.
But their informal status has placed them in legal limbo.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 director Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II said: “In enforcement, they are illegal. They are colorum. They can face penalties. There is no law and authority granting them a franchise.”
Geduspan explained that while Metro Manila and Cebu were selected for pilot testing of motorcycle taxi regulation years ago, Iloilo was not included.
“Until now, wala na ma-tackle. How can that be regulated kay wala sang living law, regulating their operation?” he added.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 clarified that it has no authority over two-wheeled vehicles.
“We have no enforcement authority over two-wheelers. That’s beyond our control,” said officer-in-charge Atty. Ma. Joscet Abellar in an interview back in May.
Legal counsel Atty. Salvador “Jun” Altura added that while findings from the technical working group were submitted to Congress more than a year ago, no law has since been passed.
The lack of regulation and oversight has also raised safety concerns. The outcry grew louder following a reported attempted rape on May 18, 2025, in Oton, Iloilo involving a motorcycle taxi driver.
Jan-Jan, Jobert, and Alex condemned the incident, stressing that one offender should not define the entire community of riders.
“Isa lang gid ang makaguba sa rider… indi tanan parehas sa iya,” said Jan-Jan. “Unggo nga rider,” Alex added bluntly.
“Manyak,” Jobert remarked.
Still, these riders say they are open to regulation and, in fact, are asking for it.
“Panawagan ko lang nga franchise ang angkas riders,” Jan-Jan urged. “Damo gid ya opportunity ang angkas… laban sa mga students kag sa mga wala ubra.”
Rather than shutting them down, they are appealing to national legislators and regulatory agencies to fast-track the passage of enabling laws and establish clear guidelines to protect both passengers and riders alike.
“Kay kun mag-untat kami biyahe, wala gid kami income,” Alex said.
“Ang gusto lang namon, tagaan man kami kahigayunan na magpangabuhi sa matinlo nga paagi,” added Jobert./PN
