The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are being urged by a motorcycle taxi community alliance on Friday to quickly resolve a motion for reconsideration filed by transportation network Move It. The alliance said the resolution is needed to ensure the jobs of about 14,000 riders.
During a peaceful rally in front of the LTFRB, the alliance of moto-taxi riders called for the recall of an April order by the regulatory body. The alliance said the order would put thousands of Move It riders in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro out of work despite operating legally.
Romeo Maglunsod, chairperson of the alliance, said the LTFRB's inaction is creating uncertainty for its members, whose livelihoods are at risk unless the order is reversed.
"While we are grateful to the DoTr and LTFRB for temporarily stopping the implementation of the order that could take away the livelihoods of 14,000 riders, the delay in the formal withdrawal of this order leaves us in limbo," Maglunsod said.
"Every day without a decision is a day we live in fear -- fear of losing our jobs, our dignity, and our ability to support our families," he added.
On the eve of Labor Day, the LTFRB suspended Move It’s operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro and cut its fleet allocation in Metro Manila by half. The agency based its decision on what Move It contends was an old press release, outdated data, and a memorandum.
Move It promptly filed a motion for reconsideration. Days later, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon intervened to halt the implementation of the LTFRB order pending a review of the appeal.
The motion argues that Move It is operating legally in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, citing memorandum circulars and communications from the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) that support the legality of its operations.
Additionally, Move It asserts it operates within the 15,000-slot cap in Metro Manila, as outlined by an official TWG memorandum circular that divides the total 45,000 slots equally among the three authorized players -- Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It.
"We believe it is time to end this situation so that we can continue to earn a living during this crucial time, so that more Filipinos can have the opportunity to live with justice and not just rely on aid," Maglunsod appealed to the government. "That is what we ask of the government—a fair and just opportunity to continue our livelihood on the road."