A transport group has slammed the proposal of a lawmaker to halt the operations of Move It, a local motorcycle taxi operator, as this could affect the lives of some 6,500 families.
The United Motorcycle Taxi Community (UMTC), who staged a rally to protest the House Committee on Metro Manila Development chairperson and Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano’s recommendation to shut down the operations of Move It, said the proposal was an “unjustifiable threat to their livelihood.”
Viewed from limited employment opportunities and rising prices, the group said the country needs job-generators and not job-killers like the Valeriano proposal.
UMTC representative Romeo Maglunsod expressed deep concern that if adopted, the Valeriano recommendation would affect the lives of 6,500 families.
“Why is Congressman Valeriano killing jobs? Life is hard. Everything is expensive. We have families we need to take care of. If Move It is shut down and we lose our jobs, how will we feed them?” said Maglunsod.
UMTC representative Jet Cruz appealed to legislators to use their power and influence to provide riders with more job opportunities by opening up the motorcycle taxi industry instead of limiting the number of players in the country.
“This is not just about Move It but about the whole motorcycle taxi industry,” said Cruz
“There are motorcycle taxi bills pending in Congress that could open doors to more job opportunities, and we urge House leaders to prioritize this instead of paying attention to recommendations that would rob people of jobs and employment opportunities,” Cruz said.
According to UMTC member Amor Cañete Pilor, both commuters and riders benefit when there are multiple players in the motorcycle taxi industry.
“Of course on our part, we want to work with a company that can give us better wages and better benefits,” said Pilor.
“Commuters also like Move It because it has the best app and provides a better experience, “added Pilor.
Another UMTC member, Catherine Lorenzo, warned that “if Move It is banned, riders and commuters suffer as they will only have two choices. Why would any lawmaker want that?”
“If Moveit is banned, and the remaining two apps—which are so unreliable–are left, then pity drivers and passengers,” Lorenzo said.
