Senator JV Ejercito explained why he pushed for the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for motorcycle riders at a media conference on April 11, 2022.
Ejercito clarified that he signed the double license plate for motorcycle riders to introduce the option of using RFID during discussions of the law.
“Doon sa doble plaka issue, I think I was misunderstood there. Na dahil po pumirma po ako sa isyu ng doble plaka which riders didn’t like. Nakapirma po ako, oo totoo kasi po gusto ko magpresenta ng alternatibo.
“Sayang baka ito na po ‘yung pagkakataon na mapresenta ko ‘yung alternatibo dahil ayaw ko rin ng doble plaka, dahil rider po ako dahil delikado ‘yan baka sa akin pa tumama. Sabi ko baka itong RFID system na aking prinepresent would be a good alternative instead of plate number sa harap.”
He also intended to push for the RFID system to resolve the discrimination against motorcycle riders.
Kaya ko tinutulak ‘yan ay because riders are the ones most discriminated in the society. Pag may check point ang mga kotse, ang iba dadaan lang, pero ang riders madaling pinababa, pinapatigil, pinababa, ilalabas ang dokumento, driver’s license, vaccine card, so malaking abala. Sila na nga po ‘yung nagtratrabaho sa atin pero sila lang ‘yun pinabababa.
He then recalled how he pushed for the motorcycle taxi and courier services during his term as a Senator.
“That time it was being discussed, may mga apprehensions ‘yung mga agencies and some senators to give motorcycle–license to operate as motorcycle taxi kasi dalawang gulong lang its– baka hindi safe.
“During that time, I was the Vice Chairman of Committee in Public Services and Transport, talagang ako rin as a rider alam ko naman ‘yung dangers niyan. But ang sabi ko, bakit hindi natin bigyan ng chance.
“‘Yung provisional authority for motorcycle taxi to operate. Itong Angkas, Joyride, and others. Tapos sumunod po diyan ‘yung delivery services, ‘yung courier services. So dahil ako po ‘yung rider, ako po ‘yung nagtulak for them to be given the provisional authority to operate.”
He then expressed how proud he was of the results of his initiative, citing the less than 1% accident rate of motorcycle transport in the country.
“Sa awa naman ng Diyos, nakahinga ako dahil ‘yung kanilang accident rate ay below 1%, napakababa, maganda ang kanilang training, disiplinado kaya proud naman ako sa mga riders, courier services, and taxi services.”
He also praised the motorcycle riders for being the economic heroes amid the pandemic.
“Sila rin ang nagsilbing heroes of the pandemic. Sila pong bumuhay ng ekonomiya natin noong walang nakakagalaw during the lockdowns. And who would’ve thought that a simple push, simple push of that provisional authority to operate would result in millions of jobs and livelihood.”
JV Ejercito recently landed Pulse Asia’s Magic 12 survey for Senators in the 2022 elections. During the event, he vowed to monitor the progress of the Universal Health Care Law and focus on housing and job security through infrastructure development if he gets reelected.
