MANILA, Philippines — Despite persuading concerned government agencies and the technical working group (TWG) of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to extend the pilot testing program for motorcycle riding app Angkas, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated in an interview that the company still needs to follow the law and comply with regulations, particularly on foreign ownership restrictions of the Constitution.

This comes after DOTr said that the ride-hailing firm is allegedly 99.9 percent owned by a Singaporean.

Angkas, on their part, has also announced that it has rectified this ownership issue.

“About the ownership issue, of course, they have to prove it. Sumunod sila sa ating batas. Kung ano ang allowable, sundin nila. If not, magkakaprublema tayo,” Go said in an interview during his visit to fire victims in Las Piñas City.

The senator, however, also expressed his concern for riders who could lose their jobs if Angkas is forced to halt its operations. As a remedy, Go said that he has already discussed with the DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) the extension of Angkas’ pilot testing run.

“Sabi ko po kahapon, nakiusap ako kina Secretary Art Tugade at Chairman Martin Delgra na tingnan ng mabuti,” Go said.

“Ayaw nating may mawalan ng trabaho sa ngayon. Ang atin dito, tuloy muna ang kanilang pagpapasada as long as sumusunod sila sa safety measures,” he added.

Go also stressed that the interest of Filipino consumers should come first, and that Angkas guaranteed that it is following a set of measures to ensure the safety of their passengers.

“May sinusunod naman silang safety measures. ‘Yun po ang importante sa akin, ang kapakanan ng pasahero. ‘Wag basta-basta tumanggap ng nagmamaneho kung hindi nag-comply sa safety measures,” he said.

“Yung mga namamasada riyan, ang iba galing pang probinsya. Nagpunta rito para magtrabaho para sa mga pamilya nila. Nakakatulong naman sila sa trapiko, lalu na ang sikip ng daan sa Metro Manila. Basta safety ng pasahero at interes ng mga Pilipino ang unahin natin,” he said.

Go also mentioned the need to amend the law to legalize the operations of motorcycle taxis, saying “Yes, we have to amend the law para payagan sila.”

However, he also urged stakeholders to refrain from resorting to accusations or legal remedies and focus on coordination and dialogue instead.

“Sabi ko, while waiting to amend the law, ‘wag muna hulihin. Tuloy muna ang pilot run. Pag-usapan ninyo. Do not resort to legal remedies. Hahaba lang ang usapan,” he said.

“Sit down and talk. Maraming apektado kung mag-aaway sila. ‘Yung mga maliliit ang apektado rito. Kawawa sila,” he added.  (STACY ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)