Riders group Kapatiran sa
Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG) fears that thousands of motorcycle taxi riders could
lose their livelihoods following the decision of the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) against MOVE IT PH.
The group complained that
the government chooses to regulate the number of motorcycles and the jobs
themselves, rather than the labor standards and employment relations of riders
in every platform, as well as the welfare of the riding public, who are made to
suffer because of the country's dysfunctional and inadequate mass
transportation system. This comes alongside the rising cost of living and
unemployment crisis, the threat of super El Niño, and lack of government’s
employment programs, including public employment.
According to the LTFRB's
decision, MOVE IT is authorized to have only 17,746 rider-partners operating in
Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro City. However, based on records
submitted by the company, its actual number of registered riders reached 73,321.
As a result, the LTFRB
imposed a fine of ₱555.75 million on motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT for
retaining 55,575 rider-partners beyond its authorized limit.
According to Don Pangan,
Secretary General of KAGULONG, "Our concern stems from the possibility
that, given the enormous amount of the fine, the company might decide to shut
down altogether. What will happen to the 73,000 riders whose current livelihood
depends on working as motorcycle taxi riders under MOVE IT?"
Pangan added, "Even if
MOVE IT continues operating and accepts the ruling, 55,575 riders will still
have no assurance that they can continue earning a living. Under the new
implementing guidelines, the rider cap will remain in place, limiting the number
of riders allowed to operate under MOVE IT to just 17,746."
KAGULONG maintains that the
riders should not be blamed for the over boarding violation and insists that,
regardless of what happens, no one should lose their livelihood. The group
warned that thousands of families could go hungry if these riders lose their
jobs.
The organization also argued
that over boarding should not be considered a problem, pointing out that in
Metro Manila alone, approximately 70% of the population relies on public
transportation. According to the group, the current number of operating motorcycle
taxi riders is still insufficient to meet the demand for public transportation
services.
KAGULONG is also calling for
an investigation into other Motorcycle Taxi Platform Providers (MTTPs), as
there is a strong possibility that they have also exceeded their respective
rider caps.
"We have received reports that JoyRide has also exceeded its rider cap by 10,000, while Angkas has exceeded its limit by 50,000," Don Pangan concluded.
PRESS RELEASE
Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG)
03 November 2026
