THEY WORK silently on two wheels — rain or shine, rush hour or graveyard shift — helping commuters get to work, school, or home. In Iloilo City, these motorcycle taxi riders have become an invisible backbone of urban mobility. But despite doing honest work that fills the gaps in our public transportation system, they are criminalized as colorum and remain in legal limbo.
As reported by this paper recently, for riders like “Jobert” and “Alex” angkas is a job that helps them survive. For working students like “Jan-Jan” it is a way to earn money without depending on parents. For many of the city’s unemployed or underemployed, it is a dignified source of daily income, often earning ₱800 to ₱2,000 a day. Multiply that by hundreds if not thousands of riders, and you begin to see the outline of a parallel economy — informal, unregulated, but vital.
This is Iloilo’s angkas economy — and it’s time the government stopped ignoring it. These riders are not scammers. They are ordinary Ilonggos who found a way to earn a living and serve the commuting public at the same time. And while the state has failed to provide adequate jobs and accessible transport, these riders have stepped in — using smartphones, motorcycles, and social media platforms to create solutions the government itself couldn’t build.
What’s more striking is their willingness to comply with the law, if only they were given the chance. Many have secured barangay and NBI clearances. They hold valid driver’s licenses. Some even use booking administrators to screen passengers and prevent “ghost riders.” In short, they are already operating with more structure and discipline than many of our formal systems.
So why is Congress silent? Why are Iloilo’s congresspersons – both in the city and the province — not taking the lead in crafting legislation to legalize and regulate this emerging sector? Why is the government still dragging its feet on a transport revolution that’s already happening?
Motorcycle taxis are now a socioeconomic necessity. They ease traffic, reduce commuting costs, and create jobs for those who need them most. And in cities like Iloilo and their suburban environs where public transport options remain limited, they have proven to be not just efficient, but essential. To continue turning a blind eye to this reality is bad policy and a moral failure.
Regulating the angkas economy means giving the working class the dignity of legal recognition. It means protecting passengers through safety standards. It means helping riders lift themselves out of poverty without fear of arrest, harassment, or accidents without recourse.
If we are serious about inclusive growth, if we truly want a government that listens to its people — then we must legalize what has long been real on the ground. Congress must act. Local leaders must speak up. The angkas economy is here. It is time we gave it the recognition — and protection — it deserves.
