MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on public services has approved measures allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the committee, moved to approve Senate Bill Nos. 2173 and 2180 and Senate Resolution 993 during Friday’s hearing of the panel on proposals to lift the ban on two-wheeled vehicles from transporting passengers.

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The bills were authored separately by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Sen. JV Ejercito, and Poe.

“Kinikilala natin na ito ay alternatibo at kailangan ng transportasyon papunta sa mga main hub… kaya ito ay ikinokonsidera natin (We are recognizing [motorcycles] as alternative modes of transportation for connecting to main hubs, so we are considering this),” Poe said.

The panel will now work out a final version of the measure before pushing for its approval in Congress.

Poe said that while she favors an alternative and cheaper mode of transportation, motorcycle drivers should have proper trainings and passengers must have accident insurance.

“Bagama’t mayroong ‘demand,’ hindi naman natin maikakaila ang ‘inherent vulnerability’ ng mga motorsiklo sa mga aksidente; at dahil dito, nararapat lamang na mas matindi ang safety requirements sa motorsiklo,” she said.

(Albeit there is demand, we cannot deny the “inherent vulnerability” of motorcycles from accidents. And because of this, there should be more stringent safety requirements for motorcycles.)

Poe also said the measure will not give a “blanket authorization” to motorcycle owners to register to app-based motorcycle services.

The senator added that she will await a full report from the Department of Transportation on the viability of motorcycles for public transport, especially on the aspect of passenger protection and safety.

The House of Representatives approved House Bill 8959 on third and final reading before Congress went on recess last month. /ee

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