A consumer advocacy group is urging the government to prioritize the welfare of commuters in its plan to drastically reduce the fleet of motorcycle taxi platform Move It.

Malayang Konsyumer warned that an order to halve Move It's fleet would severely impact the riding public, particularly amid existing inadequacies in public transportation.

"The hardships that commuters face every day due to insufficient public transportation will definitely be worsened by the order to remove 14,000 riders of Move It," said Mark Jansen Magsano, convenor of Malayang Konsyumer.

"Instead of resolving this problem and other public transportation issues that burden commuters, it seems they even want to worsen and add to the problems of Filipinos," he added.

The Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MCT-TWG) is currently deliberating on Move It's motion for reconsideration and supplemental appeal. The company seeks to reverse an April order that would remove 14,000 riders operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

Earlier, two major rider groups also appealed to the MCT-TWG to reconsider the plan, highlighting the potential impact on both commuters and riders. Move It has stated the policy was made without due process and was based on outdated information.

"The concerned government agency should think of the plight of the commuters. This is not just a matter of compliance," Magsano said.

He also pointed out that the policy would lead to the unemployment of many riders who have families to support.

"They are decently earning a living, and now they are at risk of being added to the number of unemployed in our country," said Magsano.