UTOL is a new ride-hailing app for Filipinos. Logo from the UTOL Facebook page. 

MANILA -- A new player has entered the Philippine ride-hailing industry.

Filipino-owned Unified Transport Operations League (UTOL) on Wednesday said it aims to provide the riding public with a more affordable four-wheel ride-sharing option by charging a lower surge rate.

“Ang LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) kasi, may tinatadhana na rate ng surge. Masama kasi na sumobra ka doon, pero kung mas mababa ka doon, mas maganda para sa mga mananakay,” said Atty. Orly Ocampo, who heads UTOL’s Legal Department, during the grand launch of the app.

(The LTFRB has specified an acceptable surge rate. If you go beyond that, that's bad, but if it's less than that, it's good for the passenger.)

UTOL has started operations in select areas in Metro Manila, namely, Quezon City, Makati City, Parañaque City and Alabang in Muntinlupa after having enrolled 600 drivers and operators already, according to General Manager Rosalie Maningas.

It plans to cover the rest of the National Capital Region by June, then nearby provinces after three months.

To do this, it will be onboarding more drivers. Ocampo particularly encouraged jeepney operators and drivers who failed to consolidate under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program and are about to lose their franchise to apply for UTOL.

“Isang malaking opportunity yan sa UTOL na makatulong sa ating mga kababayan na jeepney drivers, welcome sila sa UTOL. Lahat yan ay bibigyan natin ng opportunity na magkaroon ng trabaho,” he said.

(This is a huge opportunity for our jeepney drivers who will lose their jobs. We will give everyone a chance at a job here in UTOL.)

Despite the growing number of transport network companies (TNC) in the country, UTOL believes there is still room for it, amid rising demand.

“Marami pang kakulangan sa transportasyon dahil nga sa dami ng mananakay. Minsan, mahirap mag-book doon sa app, mahirap makakuha ng driver. Yun ay isang patunay na talagang may kakulangan, hindi sapat,” said UTOL CEO and Chairman of the Board Roland Maningas.

(There is a lot of shortage in the transportation space because there are a lot of passengers. Sometimes it's hard to book a ride, or to get a driver.)

“Doon kasi sa two-wheels, hinihintay pa natin magkaroon ng batas kasi ang ngayon, nasa pilot testing pa rin ng gobyerno natin. Once na lumabas na yung batas, immediately, ang UTOL ay sasagot kaagad diyan at makikisali,” said Ocampo.

(As for the two-wheeled vehicles, we're still waiting for the law because as of snow, the government is still on pilot testing. Once the law is out, UTOL will enter the space.)

'Angcars tara na?' Angkas eyes venture into 4-wheeled vehicles

TREATING DRIVERS AS FAMILY

Utol is a colloquial Filipino term for brother or sibling. The company said it wants to stay true to the origin of its name by treating its drivers and operators as family. 

Apart from training, and other incentives it provides to drivers, UTOL said it will also shoulder the discounts given to senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities.

Some transportation network vehicle service drivers employed by other companies have previously complained about having these discounts deducted from their earnings. 

“Hindi naman yan ipinapasa sa mga TNVS drivers/operators natin para hindi na mabawasan yung kinikita nila. Gusto naming ipasa ang benepisyo, ang kabuhayan hindi lang para kay Utol, kundi para sa mga drivers natin,” said Ocampo. 

(We won't pass on those costs to TNVS drivers/operators so their earnings won't decrease. We want to pass on to them the benefits, the livelihood, not just for the business but for the drivers.)

Meanwhile, officials also touted the UTOL app ‘help button’, which is a safety feature for both passengers and drivers. 

“In case a passenger feels unsafe inside the car, he/she can just press the help button on the app and an UTOL representative will immediately call the passenger or the driver to address their concerns. In the same way, when a driver feels something is not right with his passenger/s all he has to do is press this emergency button, and the management will be there to the rescue,” said the company.