Editorial: Shift Towards Cebu, Not Cagayan Valley, is the Proper Direction
Motorcycle Taxi Squabble in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro Continues
Move It's operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro are in turmoil, as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) attempts to clamp down on their motorcycle taxi service.
Students and workers who rely on these services to get to their destinations on time, yet prefer them over buses and taxis, are among those affected. Other companies, such as Angkas, Joy Ride, and Maxim, also operate motorcycle taxi services.
However, it's the 6,000 riders who stand to lose the most from this standoff. It's about time the LTFRB straightened out its acts regarding this matter.
A first swipe at decision by LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III indicated there was no permission from the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Move It to operate in these locations.
However, Wayne Jacinto, Move It's general manager, insisted that their operations are based on LTFRB's guidelines for motorcycle taxi services, suggesting a misunderstanding between Move It and the LTFRB over the motorcycle taxi issue.
Clear communication and coordination between the two parties are desperately needed to iron out this mess.
If the LTFRB continues to oppose the riders, who are struggling to make ends meet, they should not hamper Move It's operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. The riders should not be used as pawns in administrative and legal processes just to operationalize Move It's services in these cities.
Riders should not become victims to an arbitrary and unfair administrative and legal process.
Currently, there is a motion for reconsideration filed by Move It, which the LTFRB is reviewing.
Once the LTFRB makes a decision concerning this issue, the affected parties must fully understand the implications, the reasons behind the decision, and be assured that the decision is valid and will positively impact the riders.
Motorcycle Taxi Job Loss Fears
If the LTFRB's decision were to go ahead, it would severely impact the livelihoods of Move It riders. The reduction in fleet size by almost 8,000 riders alone in Metro Manila would result in the loss of jobs for around 7,826 riders[1][3]. Furthermore, operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro would also be shut down, affecting riders in those areas. In total, up to 14,000 riders risk losing their jobs nationwide[2][5].
Advocacy and Response
Rep. Rodge Gutierrez of the 1-Rider party-list has been championing the Motorcycle Taxi Bill, which has passed the House of Representatives. He has urged the LTFRB to reconsider the moratorium on new riders and the reduction in fleet size, citing the socio-economic impact on the riders and the community[4][5].
- The on-going squabble between Move It and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) over motorcycle taxi services in Cagayan de Oro and other locations has stirred up concern in the local industry, politics, and general news.
- If the LTFRB's decision to halt Move It's operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro pushed through, it could lead to the loss of jobs for thousands of riders, exacerbating the financial struggles of these workers.
- To help mitigate the potential impact on riders, clear and open communication must transpire between Move It and the LTFRB regarding the issue of motorcycle taxi services, ensuring informed decisions that are just and equitable for all parties involved, especially the riders, in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and beyond.
