Panuntunan sa pananagutan ng motorcycle taxis unahin — Rep. Nograles

Ni NOEL ABUEL

Nanawagan si Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party list Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles ng agarang paggawa at pagpapatupad ng komprehensibong panuntunan hinggil sa pananagutan ng mga motorcycle taxi drivers at operators sakaling mangyari ang mga aksidente.

Sinabi pa ni Nograles na kahit pinahintulutan ng Department of Transportation (DoTr) ang pansamantalang operasyon ng mga motorcycle taxi operators tulad ng Grab / Move It, Joyride at Angkas, habang hinihintay ang pag-apruba ng batas sa motorcycle taxis, wala pa ring malinaw na panuntunan lalo na sa liability aspect ng kanilang operasyon.

“Even the pending bills that are currently being deliberated in Congress are silent about the aspect of liability,” sabi ni Nograles habang binanggit na may mga mungkahi na palawakin ang saklaw ng mga motorcycle taxi na ito na kilala rin bilang “habal-habal. “

Ayon pa kay Nograles, kailangang unahin ang kaligtasan at pananagutan kaysa sa economic benefits at convenience na ibinibigay ng mga motorcycle taxis.

Binigyan-diin ng kongresista na ang mga alalahaning ito ay dapat munang matugunan bago isaalang-alang ang anumang pagpapalawak ng saklaw o pagdaragdag pa ng iba pang kumpanya.

“While discussing the possibility of expanding the scope and involving more players, shouldn’t we first address the fundamental question? Who should be held liable in case of accidents? What evidence is required? What level of diligence is expected? Are motorcycle taxis considered public utility vehicles or private ones? These are the realities that need proper scrutiny before broadening the scope or introducing more stakeholders,” pag-uusisa pa ni Nograles.

Nilinaw rin ng mambabatas na wala itong tutol sa operasyon ng mga motorcycle taxi operations ngunit kaligtasan ang dapat na pangunahing alalahanin, lalo na sa nakakaalarmang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga aksidenteng kinasasangkutan ng mga motorsiklo.

“I support the pilot program’s potential benefits, including job creation and economic advantages. However, the reality is that accidents happen. We must address this pressing issue – who will bear the responsibility? We must also determine the legal status of motorcycle taxis to ensure that our laws adequately address the realities on the ground. This approach is vital during the pilot study and the crafting of any relevant legislation,” giit pa ni Nograles.