On Friday, motorcycle taxi riders reached out to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the Philippines, seeking a pathway for their operations to become legal. This initiative comes particularly as many riders have been affected by their platforms exceeding the government-mandated cap on the number of allowed riders.
Accompanied by the Motorcycle Taxi Rider Association (METRO) and additional motorcycle rights advocates, the riders urged the Marcos administration and transport authorities to consider their situation. Many of them were enrolled in platforms without knowledge that they were surpassed the government's authorized limits.
Jayson Luna, the lead convener of METRO, emphasized that they are not asking for special treatment but rather for equal opportunities to comply with governmental requirements for legal employment.
The group stressed the need for proper verification, documentation, training, and safety assessments to ensure passenger safety and regulatory compliance as steps toward legalization.
In response, LTFRB Executive Director JP Victa acknowledged the riders' concerns regarding their livelihoods and expressed the agency's readiness to listen to their issues and explore ways to assist them within the framework of existing laws and regulations.
Luna expressed gratitude to the LTFRB for acknowledging their plea and hopes this marks the beginning of a fair and transparent process to provide legal opportunities for riders to continue their work.
METRO insisted that responsibilities should also be addressed for platform operators while protecting riders from immediate repercussions stemming from decisions made by their companies. The group looks forward to further dialogue aimed at crafting practical and legal solutions for the affected motorcycle taxi riders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did motorcycle taxi riders request from the LTFRB?
They requested a chance to legalize their operations and to address issues caused by their platforms exceeding the allowable number of riders.
Who represented the motorcycle taxi riders in their appeal?
The appeal was made with the support of the Motorcycle Taxi Rider Association (METRO) along with other motorcycle rights advocates.
What important measures did METRO emphasize for the legalization process?
They highlighted the need for proper verification, documentation, training, and safety assessments to ensure compliance and passenger safety.
Reporting by Joey Bengzon for Rapport Philippines. This report was prepared from available source material and reviewed for factual consistency. Further verified updates will be added as the newsroom receives them.