Several consumer advocacy groups are supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent call to relax regulations on transportation network vehicle services (TNVS), which include motorcycle taxis and other vehicles that offer ride-hailing services.
CitizenWatch Philippines Co-Convenor Kit Belmonte said the President’s recent pronouncement is an acknowledgment of the urgent need to provide better, more affordable, and safer options for the commuting public.
“The public transportation system is plagued by many problems, resulting in a commuting experience that is inconvenient and expensive for the people. Meanwhile, Filipinos have no other choice but to bear with these difficulties so that they can keep on earning a living to support their families,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte said relaxing the regulations on TNVS opens up opportunities for companies aside from existing players that will be able to serve more Filipinos.
Similarly, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) Convenor Att Karry Sison said it is a welcome development to hear the President acknowledge the need to legalize motorcycle taxis and relax TNVS regulations.
Sison said the group supports the expansion of services to include motorcycle taxis to address the needs of “millions of commuters” and improve the sorry state of public transportation in the country.
Sison also pointed out that current regulatory limitations prevent the riding public from obtaining the full benefits of this additional mobility option.
She urges concerned agencies to take heed of the President’s call and allow the TNVS industry to flourish and serve the riding public.