Two motorcycle rider groups are appealing to the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MCT-TWG) to prioritize the human impact of its policies, urging consideration for both commuters and riders.

This comes as the MCT-TWG prepares to rule on an appeal by Move It, a motorcycle taxi platform, seeking to reverse an order that would halve its fleet.

The MCT-TWG is currently deliberating Move It's motion for reconsideration and supplemental appeal.

An order issued by the group in April stands to displace approximately 14,000 riders across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. Move It contends the decision was made without due process and relied on outdated information.

Andie Delos Santos, spokesperson for the United Motorcycle Community, stressed that the decision's implications extend beyond compliance issues.

"We are talking about real people here, not numbers," Delos Santos said. "Fathers, brothers, breadwinners for their families. They rely on Move It to earn a living and feed their families and send their children to school. We trust the government will do not just what is legal, but what is right."

Meantime, Romeo Maglunsod, chairperson of the Motorcycle Taxi Community, raised concerns that Move It is consistently targeted by "noisy" groups seemingly indifferent to the riders' struggles.

"All we ask for is fairness and understanding," Maglunsod said. "Among all the companies, it seems Move It is always the focus of these vocal groups like Digital Pinoys. Why is that? If we lose our jobs, will they feed our families? Will they pay for our children's tuition? It's obvious they don't care about the welfare of the affected drivers."

Delos Santos added that a favorable ruling for Move It would also benefit the commuting public.

"Every Move It rider taken off the road is one less ride for a commuter," Delos Santos said in Filipino. "This is not just about us riders. It's about commuters who need safe, affordable, and fast transportation every day, in a country now in the middle of a public transportation crisis."