MANILA, Philippines — Livelihood of two-wheeled transport public utility vehicles yesterday breathed a sigh of relief after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will continue its pilot testing of motorcycle taxis until Congress is able to amend laws to regulate this.

This was announced by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday to the delight of hundreds of motorcycle riders who assembled in front of Senate Buiding in Pasay City in the afternoon.

Later Sen. Go obliged for photo ops and “selfies” with the rallying riders from Angkas, MoveIt and Joy Ride.

While Sen. Go was holding photo ops with them, the committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, was still holding a hearing on motorcycle taxi bills.

“We don’t want people to lose their jobs, but we must prioritize the safety of passengers,” Go said in an interview.

He later asked the riders to cooperate with the DOTr’s technical working group (TWG), which is conducting the pilot testing.

Go also told the riders he was able to talk to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III and TWG chief Antonio Gardiola not to push through with the TWG’s plan to stop its pilot testing.

It was gathered that Go also discussed with the owners of Angkas for them to cooperate with the DOTr and other concerned government agencies in the continuation of the pilot testing. (IAMIGO/Currentph.com)