LAST week, legitimate transport organizations in Metro Manila once again united to oppose the government’s plan to increase Motorcycle or MC Taxi Players.
They argue that the Philippine government is in favor of adding MC Taxis and that this will further diminish job opportunities for taxi drivers, tricycle drivers, and other commuters.
“If you want to expand, why not go to the provinces instead of Metro Manila—why add in Metro Manila?” said Ariel Lim, National President | NACTODAP.
During a press briefing at the LTFRB, Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III stated that the government will no longer pursue the planned MC Taxi expansion in Metro Manila.
“As early as last week, we received orders from him to temporarily stop granting routes in Metro Manila,” according to Teofilo Guadiz III, LTFRB Chairman.
Guadiz mentioned that the directive came from Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
Currently, 51,000 MC Taxi riders are operating in Metro Manila.
However, LTFRB recently approved an additional 8,000 MC taxi units, a move contested by transport groups for lacking congressional approval under the Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study.
“The 8,000 slots will now have to be made outside of Metro Manila,” added Guadiz.
Transport groups previously threatened to hold massive protests if the government did not heed their demands.
“We’re still not satisfied because they need to revert the number of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila back to 45,000,” ani Lim.
