MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers are increasing pressure to lift rigid limitations on motorcycle taxi operations, arguing that outdated restrictions fail to meet current public transportation needs.
House Deputy Majority Leader and 1-Rider Party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez has voiced support for Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon’s proposal to remove current caps on motorcycle taxi fleets.
Gutierrez noted that restrictions established before the pandemic are obsolete and no longer reflect realities on the ground.
“This is exactly one of the main reasons we have been pushing for the immediate passage of the Motorcycle Taxi Law,” Gutierrez said.
“The old, fixed caps are no longer responsive to the realities on the ground. Commuters need more affordable and accessible transport options, and thousands of riders depend on this livelihood. A rigid, pre-pandemic number cannot and should not dictate policy anymore,” he added.
Dizon previously advocated for expanding the number of motorcycle taxi riders, particularly in Metro Manila, where public transit capacity remains constrained. In response, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are reviewing existing guidelines to protect driver livelihoods while improving passenger transit options.
According to Gutierrez, Dizon’s position highlights the urgent need to pass House Bill No. 4416, or the Motorcycle Taxi Bill, which the 1-Rider Party-list refiled in the 20th Congress. The proposed legislation aims to establish a permanent legal framework for motorcycle taxi services, tie fleet numbers to public demand, strengthen regulatory authority for the DOTr and LTFRB, and incorporate social protection benefits for riders.
“Secretary Dizon is right — we should be guided by public demand, not by outdated limitations,” Gutierrez stated.
“But temporary administrative actions and policy reviews can only go so far. Without a permanent law, the industry and our riders will remain vulnerable to sudden changes. The Motorcycle Taxi Law will provide the clear, lasting framework that both commuters and riders deserve,” he explained.
As discussions continue, supporters of the measure emphasize that a stable legislative structure is vital to bridging public transportation gaps and securing stable employment for thousands of riders.