Motorcycle taxi riders have gotten a new reprieve as a QC Regional Trial Court granted a 20-day temporary restraining order against the riders cap imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that limited the number of Angkas bikers to 10,000 in Manila and 3,000 in Cebu.
Citing the irreparable injury that would be suffered by the bikers if the number of bikers is limited to 30,000 in Metro Manila and 9,000 for Metro Cebu, to be divided equally among the providers, is not restrained and considering the urgency of the situation, the QC RTC Branch 223 issued the TRO enjoining the LTFRB from implementing the riders cap for a period of 20 days.
It may be recalled that the Technical Working Group of the LTFRB, which was overseeing the implementation of the pilot program for motorcyle taxis, issued on December 19 the Revised Guidelines practically slashing the number of the 27,000 existing Angkas bikers to 10,000 in Metro Manila. This was met with uproar by netizens and commuters who have come to rely on Angkas for their daily commute.
Also, the QC TRO affirms the stand that several congressmen as well as the Philippine Competition Committee (PCC) took in previous weeks.
In a statement before the previous year ended, House Committee on Transportation chair Edgar Sarmiento aired his concern about the suspension of motorcycle taxi services. "Habang hindi pa naaayos ang efficiency ng mass transportation, kailangan natin talaga ang support muna ng isang sektor kung saan tinutulungan nila ang mamamayan na umabot naman sa pinupuntahan nila sa madaling panahon," he stated.
For his part, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, previously slammed the LTFRB for its arbitrary decision to drastically reduce the number of bikers of the ride-hailing firm Angkas, calling it an anti-consumer and anti-competitive behavior. "Why don’t they just open the market to new players? And why the arbitrary reduction of licenses at the expense of consumers’ choice and welfare?” Sarmienta stressed.
In an interview, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) commissioner Johannes Bernabe said that forcing Angkas to displace 17,000 riders will take away what was rightfully obtained by the company.
“Being big per se is not necessarily bad. It’s the abuse of that dominant position [that’s bad]," Bernabe was reported to have said. “Angkas grew out of its own efforts,” Bernabe said in the interview. “In a sense, you are taking away what Angkas has worked hard on obtaining, which is a driver base,” he added.
After series of issues on Motorcycle Taxis, TWG, LTFRB, DOTr, a press briefing by Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca was held to share and clear things on Angkas activities.
Royeca: I own 60% of Angkas.
Out of 117k trained, only 26k are activated. There is 63% failure.
Angkas assisted 360 bikers daily, 20k bikers are retrained, and put up 50 field support and retraining activities during the 6-month Pilot.
Angkas MC trainers are trained by a US firm that trains the US Marines and the PNP HPG.
As far as surge pricing, Angkas will comply to LTFRB, new fare price will start today.
Angkas in GenSan and CDO now operates as Angkas Padala.
App-based motorcycle taxi service provider Angkas has committed to work with government regulators in ensuring the success of the motorcycle taxi pilot run.
In a press briefing, Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca said that they will continue to work with government regulators and not against them, even as he expressed his hope for the riders cap to be lifted so that everyone can proceed with the extended pilot run smoothly and without any hitches.
Angkas commends regulators
“First off, I would like to commend the government for seriously considering motorcycle taxis as an added transport option for Filipino commuters amid the ongoing traffic crisis,” Royeca stressed. “We are also hopeful that lawmakers will find merit in what we have been espousing all these months—that motorcycle taxis are crucial to addressing our countrymen’s mobility problems,” he added.
Royeca also clarified that they are not picking a fight with government regulators. “Right from start, we worked hard to be compliant with everything the LTFRB and the DOTR’s TWG had set in the first motorcycle taxi test run. For six whole months last year, there was never any problem,” Royeca noted.
“It must be noted that we complied with everything that the TWG asked us to do in the initial test run. We did a re-training of all our riders. We gave our riders safety vests based on the recommendation of the TWG. We are continuously complying to the best of our abilities with the new pilot guidelines,” Royeca revealed.
Not against competition
Royeca also emphasized that he was not against competition in the motorcycle taxi industry. ‘I would like to emphasize that even back then, I knew there will be new players as soon as motorcycle taxis become the subject of legislation and regulated,” he noted. “I have never aspired to establish a monopoly,” he stressed.
When word got out that the LTFRB will be extending the run with new players, Royeca was interviewed in the media and was reported to have said that he was totally fine with the inclusion of new players in the test run extension. “This means that people have begun to realize the importance of motorcycle taxis in helping our commuters beat the daily traffic,” he noted.
In a presentation he showed during the briefing Royeca reported that a total of 117,166 bikers have applied with Angkas. Of that number, 36,797 bikers were onboarded. However, only 26,478 were retrained and activated for the first pilot run and 10,378 were deactivated.
Three years to build a competent and safe bikers fleet
“It took us three years and dozens of safety training sessions and hundreds of hours of training to come up with a fleet of 27,000 competent bikers,” Royeca shared. “You cannot build a competent and safe biker network overnight,” he added.
Royeca also reported that in the three years since Angkas started, the Angkas app was downloaded three million times. In the course of the pilot run, they have recorded millions of rides. In terms of the service’s safety record, Angkas riders had only .003% accidents with zero fatalities.
Angkas also has in place an Emergency Response Team and Medical Accident Network with six Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)-trained full-time employees, 42 EMR-trained biker respondents, 12 on-call doctors, and eight affiliate hospitals. During the initial pilot run, the average response time recorded was 30 minutes.
Royeca also reported that Angkas has set aside an accident emergency fund to cover expenses above and beyond what’s provided by the private insurance. The company also ensures proper financial controls and standard operating procedures for quick fund disbursement for immediate patient assistance.
Investing continuous safety training and support
“We have invested so much in continuous training – our trainors have been trained by a US firm that trains the US Marines and conducts motorcycle rider licensing and accreditation for the California and Pennsylvania State Department of Motor Vehicles. They have also undergone training with the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and we are continuously working on updating and improving further our trainings,” Royeca noted.
“Moreover, I believe a support system for our bikers is necessary after they’ve passed our screening in order for them to continuously provide excellent service to our customers,” Royeca added, stating that their system averages doing assistance to 360 riders per day.
In terms of training, Royeca reported that they have retrained over 20,000 bikers for the initial pilot run. They had a total of 50 field retraining activities with riders getting retrained practically every week.
For six months from July to December of 2019, the safety record of Angkas was reported as 99.997%. “We tried our utmost best to maintain a high safety record for the benefit of all our passengers. We are proud to say that our high service standards were maintained in the test run,” Royeca stressed.
When asked about their pricing scheme, Royeca said, “The reason for our dynamic pricing is essentially to be able to encourage more bikers on the road to meet the demand. But because it is not allowed in the pilot, we will comply. We just want to give a heads up that this may result in bikers going back to habal-habal and that there'd be substantially fewer Angkas bikers on the road.”
The riders cap: the real issue
“So, again, I would like to emphasize that our fight is with a particular provision and not with the government bodies. Our fight is with the riders cap—an unfair and anti-competitive provision that will effectively punish the majority of our riders who have been working hard for six months,” he noted.
“What we really want is to have the cap removed or increase the cap for all motorcycle taxi providers, not just Angkas, because the market is still terribly underserved and we need more bikers on the road,” Royeca emphasized.
“We will try our best to be compliant with government rules and regulations,’ Royeca declared. “And I would like to reinforce on public record that we have always and will continue to work with government regulators and not against them. But on the same breath, we ask for fairness, in consideration of all the hard work we have done to comply with government regulators since last year.”
Whether you’re the over-the-top one in your barkada or another friend is, you can always be sure of one thing: Jollibee’s Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog can match you or your friends’ “todoness” with an abundance of extra cheesy dressing, ketchup, and a generous sprinkling of grated cheese on top of an extra meaty sausage.
The “todo” or all-out nature of Jolly Hotdog is exemplified in all its online commercials this year, where there’s always someone who can turn an ordinary activity into an extraordinary one, going over-the-top compared to everyone else. Here’s a look back at these wacky videos that have made fans like, laugh, and share on social media:
The Todo Drama Jolly Hotdog commercial, the first one of 2019 starring popular local actor Joshua Garcia, explores the namesake concept of going all out in dramatic acting. Garcia emotes heavily in front of his friends, who seem to have eaten their Jolly Hotdog sandwiches without him.
The Todo Clingy ad, the second Joshua Garcia commercial, reverses the roles—this time, it’s his friends who are extra dramatic and clingy with him. In the end, they all go for something that matches their “todoness”—the Jolly Hotdog!
The short Todo Wall Climbing video shows a climber struggling to move up, only to see someone else traversing the wall vertically and horizontally with minimal effort.
These ads should make you hungry for a snack right now—and there’s no better thing to have than that Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog from your nearest Jollibee! Indulge and get the Jolly Hotdog for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide for only PHP 50.00!
For more updates and info on Jollibee products, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.
The motorcycle riders who have recently been rendered jobless are fighting back.
Angkas bikers today successfully secured a 72-hour Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) policy limiting the number of Angkas bikers to 10,000 in Manila and 3,000 in Cebu.
Citing the grave and irreparable injury that these bikers stand to suffer and they extreme urgency of the situation, the Regional Trial Court ruled to grant the temporary restraining Order which restrains the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) from implementing the Revised Guidelines on the motorcycle taxi pilot program, which limits the number of bikers.
“A 72-hour Temporary Restraining Order is hereby issued upon posting of a bond in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00), enjoining the respondents and/or any other person/s acting for or on their behalf, from implementing the Revised General Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of Motorcycle Taxis insofar as it puts a cap on the number of bikers that Angkas is entitled to and from performing any act that limits and impairs their rights to deal with an continue with their contracts with Angkas,” the Order states.
“This proves that justice is on our side. We are only trying to make an honest living and helping commuters everyday to get to their destinations fast and safe,” said Rommel Villanueva, one of the bikers who filed the Petition. “Why should the government stop us? Why should our families go hungry? We are not doing anything wrong,” he added.
It may be recalled that the Technical Working Group of the LTFRB which was overseeing the implementation of the pilot program for motorcyle taxis issued on December 19 the Revised Guidelines practically slashing the number of the 27,000 existing Angkas bikers to 10,000 in Metro Manila. This was met with uproar by netizens and commuters who have come to rely on Angkas for their daily commute.
The Angkas bikers, for their part, lost no time in filing a Petition for Injunction with the Regional Trial Court today and asked for a 72-hour TRO.
Another chapter in our lives unfolds in the beginning of each year. 2020 is extra special since it is also the start of a new decade.W
We all await exciting opportunities for a fresh start and new beginnings in our personal lives and of course in our blogging community. No matter what your goals are in 2020 or how many new year’s resolutions you plan on making this year, we should always find time to celebrate and reminisce all of your experiences from 2019, whether good or bad; and welcome the new year ahead with hope and positivity.
For eight consecutive years, the Filipino Bloggers Network (FBN) hold its annual get together and this year it will be a fun pan pizza party in Quezon City.
It will surely be an afternoon of great fun, awesome giveaways, delicious food and a great opportunity to make new friends and catch up with old friends they have not seen for a while. Representatives of different sponsors, PR groups and brands are also expected to grace the event and personally thank bloggers and social media influencers who have supported them in the past years, or should we say at least in the last decade.
FBN currently has a membership of more than 2,000 and continues to expand as it provides a venue for Filipino bloggers, vloggers, and online writers and influencers to interact with other members and partner brands from different parts of the Philippines. Moderating the discussions and posting opportunities from different sponsors for the group are co-admins Divine RC, Richard Mamuyac and Lariza Garcia, the annual event has become even bigger on its 8th run.
This year’s celebration would not have been possible without the support of the following generous sponsors and partners:
Century Park Hotel Manila
Situated in the heart of Manila’s business, cultural, shopping and entertainment district is one of the most renowned and finest hotels in the metropolis. A mere seven (7) kilometres away from the Ninoy International Airport, Century Park Hotel - the premier hotel in Manila, is also an ideal airport hotel for busy executives. Follow Century Park Hotel Manila on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/centuryparkhotelmanila.officialpage/.
FuentesManila
FuentesManila is one of the few full-service PR agencies in the Philippines. While publicity remains its core service, FuentesManila provides the following services to its clients: Publicity; Special Events; Online Publicity; Advertising; Media Monitoring; Creatives & Graphic Design; and Digital PR. Follow Fuentes Manila on Facebook for news and updates > https://web.facebook.com/fuentesmanilapublicrelations/.
www.wnot.com.ph (What’s New Out There)
www.wnot.com.ph (What’s New Out There) is an online guide of all new items and products that is introduced in the market or even a product that is to be launched in the industry. WNOT was established in August 2011 to give our consumers an idea of every new product to be purchased. WNOT provides a user-friendly search engine that allows keyword searching, company promotion, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This site also acts as a directory for article submission which offers more exposure across the net. Follow www.wnot.com.ph (What’s New Out There) on Facebook for news and updates > https://web.facebook.com/WhatsNewOutThere/.
Cebuana Lhuillier
The P.J. Lhuillier, Inc. (PJLI) is the proud parent company of the Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, one of the leading and largest non-bank financial services provider in the Philippines with 2,500 branches nationwide. PJLI attributes its dominance in the industry to integrity and heartfelt service, robust network of local and international industry partners, and steadfast commitment to nurture market-leading businesses for its growing clientele. Visit Cebuana Lhuillier website for news and updates >https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/.
DZBB’s Dobol B Bantay Balita
Dobol B Bantay Balita sa Kamara is a radio-television program aired simultaneously in Super Radyo DZBB 594 khz and GMA News TV Channel 27 every Sunday, 10am to 11am. Hosted by DZBB’s House of Representatives reporter, Divine Reyes, the program discusses current events, news and issues in the country. Follow Dobol B Bantay Balita on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/DobolBBantayBalita/.
CID Comunication
CID is a pioneering, full-service corporate communication agency in the Philippines. CID's dedicated professionals craft and engineer communication programs and campaigns to bring out and project the essence of organizations, individuals or products. Follow CID Communication on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/CIDCommunication/.
Havas Media Ortega
Havas Media Ortega is the first full-service media agency providing end-to-end solutions in the Philippines. It does not only offer the most complete and cohesive set of media services in the Philippines, it also aspires to provide clients work that is best in class in all the media channels on offer. Follow Havas Media Ortega on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/HavasMediaOrtega/.
Perceptions, Inc.
Perceptions is a public relations company that provides PR counseling and various corporate and marketing communications services to business and industrial organizations, government institutions as well as trade and professional associations. Follow Perceptions, Inc. on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/Perceptions.Inc/.
FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. Visit their website,https://fleishmanhillard.com/about/ for news and updates.
Salgado Public Relations
Salgado PR specializes in PR, Event Execution, Creative Design, Digital Marketing and Influencer Management. Follow Salgado Public Relations on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/SalgadoPR/.
LeapOut Digital
LeapOut Digital is a leading digital marketing agency based in Manila offering digital marketing services for brands, SMEs, and agencies. They started as a search engine optimization (SEO) company in 2008 in Manila, helping raise the awareness of SMEs in the Philippines and other countries through their expertise of digital technologies. Visit their website,https://leapoutdigital.com/ for news and updates.
Ripple8
Ripple8 is the full-service PR arm of DDB Group Philippines. With a clientele comprising top brands in diverse fields, they provide expert traditional and digital PR services, combining creativity and effective communication to create ripples of positive change. Follow Ripple8 on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/ripple8/.
Strategic Works, Inc.
Strategic Works, Inc. live for the possibility of making an idea come to life as they align their passion with the client’s needs. They spot the hot buttons that unlock consumers’ hearts and brand success. Stratworks do Public Relations; Creative Services; Activations; Events Management; Digital Marketing; Advocacy and Social Marketing. Follow Strategic Works, Inc. on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/StratWorks/.
Lorem Ipsum Communications
Lorem Ipsum Communications is a marketing communications agency offering the following services: Digital & Traditional Public Relations; Event Management; Social Media Management; Creative Design and Human Resources Consultation. Follow Loremipsum on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/LoremIpsumCommPH/
Greenbulb Communications
Greenbulb Communications is an integrated communications solution firm specializing in Digital PR and Communications strategies that work. Follow Greenbulb on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/GreenbulbComms/.
Full Circle Communications, Inc.
Full Circle Communications, Inc. is a full-service public relations firm established in 2000. They work with clients to create proactive, ongoing public relations campaigns that generate positive press coverage. Follow Full Circle Communications on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/fccpr.ph/.
M2Comms
M2Social is a team of young, creative, and passionate social media advocates. They believe that social media is not just about pushing out content – it’s about reaching out and telling your brand story to a well-targeted audience using content that's timely, relevant, and strategic. Visit M2Comms’ website,https://www.m2comms.com/ for news and updates.
Buensalido Public Relations
Buensalido and Associates Public Relations is a leading and independent full-service public relations agency based in Manila, Philippines. Established in 1983 by renowned PR practitioner Joy Buensalido, the agency has since grown into a close-knit group of young, creative, and motivated individuals, who are always teeming with fresh and original concepts. Follow Buensalido Public Relations on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/BuensalidoPublicRelations/
Dominguez Marketing Communications Inc.
Dominguez Marketing Communications Inc. is a top-notch Philippines-based integrated marketing communications and public relations company trusted by global companies and SMEs serving major industries such as Information Technology (IT), telecommunications, banks, health and wellness, pharmaceuticals, travel, logistics, consumer and household products. Visit Dominguez Marketing Communications’ website,https://www.dominguezmarketing.net/ for news and updates.
Browne Communications
An agency of global tech, pharma & lifestyle brands where bright minds, inventive thinkers, ingenious beings and imaginative humans thrive. Follow Browne Communications on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/BrowneComm/.
i55 Talent House
Named after a bible verse, the brains of i55 Talent House responded to what’s needed to be done to create and inspire people with messages. Their talents work with clients to nurture ideas, practice creativity, curate, so we can all live in a world of inspiring messages. Follow i55 Talent House on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/i55TalentHouseCorp/.
EON Group
Delivering insightful communication solutions that enable trust-based relationships. Follow EON Group on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/theEONgroup/.
Aldenver Events
A team of dedicated and passionate individuals who are mastering their craft in creating and organizing different kinds of events. Follow Aldenver Events on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/aldenvereventsmktg/
Fujidenzo Home and Commercial Appliances combine style and performance to meet the high demands of fast-paced living. Taking into account the high cost of living and non-stop surge of prices of commodities, Fujidenzo Appliances are designed to give quality performance at the most consumer-friendly prices. With Fujidenzo, you get the latest features and technologies all within the budget of the average Filipino household. Follow Fujidenzo on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/FujidenzoAppliances/.
doTERRA Essential Oils Philippines
dōTERRA® produces and distributes exceptionally high quality CPTG® essential oils through more than three million independent distributors, also known as Wellness Advocates, around the world. In addition to a premium line of essential oils used by individuals and health-care professionals alike, dōTERRA® also offers products that are naturally safe, purely effective, and infused with CPTG® essential oils, including personal care and spa products, nutritional supplements, and healthy living products. Follow doTERRA Essential Oils Philippines on Facebook for news and updates >http://www.mydoterra.com/jrpagalilauan.
Novelina
An industry leader in the production of powder and cream hair color. At the same time, it also carries its professional line of hair care products which includes cream hair color, shampoo, conditioner, and rebonding formulas. Novelina is also the OEM manufacturer of hair-color for two of the world’s largest and most prestigious hair-dye brands being marketed in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, China, North and South America, as well as the Middle East. Follow Novelina on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/novelinacosmetics/
Sinalco Philippines
Sinalco is a German brand of non-alcoholic drinks that has been refreshing the European market since the early 1900’s. It stands by the German quality standard which only means that the highest grade of ingredients and manufacturing is applied to the production and flavor of the beverages. Follow Sinalco Philippines on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/sinalcoph/.
Barlico Philippines
Barlico may have been popularly known as a coffee substitute, but this healthy drink is more than just that. It is made of barley grass from barley plant, which is among the earliest grown sweetgrass in the world that traces its history even before 5000 BC, popular among ancient Greeks and Romans. It’s been dubbed as “nature’s best fast food” attributing to its multidimensional health benefits. Follow Barlico Philippines on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/barlicophilippines/.
Bubble Man
Bubble Man is a highly effici12ent, economical, environment friendly, & Philippine-made Dishwashing Liquid that promises to make cleaning easier and more fun for the entire family. Follow Bubble Man on Facebook for news and updates >https://web.facebook.com/BubblemanPH
