Regulatory Body Intends to Halt Transport Services in Cebu and CDO
Here's the revised and restructured article:
Move It in the Crosshairs: LTFRB Clamps Down on Cebu and CDO Operations
The journey of ride-hailing app, Move It, has hit a bumpy road in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro (CDO) as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has given them the boot, citing a lack of operational authorization. During a press conference on April 30, 2025, Wayne Jacinto, Move It's general manager, shared this disappointing news.
"Wala raw kasi kaming pahintulot na mag-operate sa Cebu at CDO (They said we don't have permission to operate in Cebu and CDO)," Jacinto said, striking a casual tone. However, he points to the LTFRB's own motorcycle taxi guidelines, which, in his belief, permit operations in these cities.
A letter signed by LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III suggested that Move It's submitted records and evidence failed to secure any authorization from the Technical Working Group (TWG) to operate in these areas. Jacinto emphasizes that the cessation of operations would leave 6,000 riders in the lurch across both cities, each one boasting 3,000 accredited riders.
What's more, the LTFRB order slashes Move It's rider cap from nearly 15,000 to 6,836. Jacinto anticipates that a total of around 14,000 riders might lose their livelihoods due to this order and the reduced cap.
The LTFRB maintains that Move It surpassed its authorized rider cap and neglected to comply with mandatory reporting requirements concerning rider activation, deactivation, and reactivation, as mandated under the motorcycle taxi pilot program.
Nevertheless, Move It believes it has complied with the 2020 rider allocations, hence the conflict. The LTFRB's current order contradicts previous agreements and raises questions about the rider quotas in provincial operations.
It's worth noting that the dispute originates from the conflicting interpretations of the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) guidelines, established in November 2020. Move It holds onto the provisions that allocated 15,000 riders per operator in Metro Manila and 3,000 riders per operator outside Metro Manila, including Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
As of press time, LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto lamented his office lacked direct information regarding the cease operations order issued to Move It in Cebu. In his eyes, motorcycle operations fall outside the LTFRB's direct jurisdiction, focusing as it does on four-wheeled vehicles.
This rollercoaster ride for Move It began in 2023, with its core service offering on-demand motorcycle rides, often referred to as "moto-taxi" or "bike taxi." A popular mode of transport in the Philippines for navigating congested roads quickly, moto-taxis have captured the hearts and minds of many commuters.
Sources:
- Rappler. LTFRB orders Move It to cease operations in Cebu, CDO. (2025, May 2, 12:09 PM). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/668506-ltfrb-orders-move-it-to-cease-operations-in-cebu-cdo
- ABS-CBN News. LTFRB orders Move It to stop operations in Cebu and CDO. (2025, May 2, 3:56 PM). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/02/25/ltfrb-orders-move-it-to-stop-operations-in-cebu-and-cdo
- PhilStar. LTFRB to suspend Move It operations in Cebu and CDO. (2025, April 30, 12:00 PM). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/04/30/2178086/ltfrb-suspend-move-it-operations-cebu-and-cdo
- GMA News Online. Move It to challenge LTFRB order to shut down operations in Cebu, CDO. (2025, May 2, 1:28 PM). Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/784842/move-it-to-challenge-ltfrb-order-to-shut-down-operations-in-cebu-cdo/story/
- Move It's operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro have been halted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), due to a lack of operational authorization.
- The LTFRB contends that Move It surpassed its authorized rider cap and neglected to comply with mandatory reporting requirements concerning rider activation, deactivation, and reactivation.
- The cessation of operations would affect 6,000 riders across both cities, each with 3,000 accredited riders, creating a significant impact on the transportation industry and local finance.
- Move It's general manager, Wayne Jacinto, claims the LTFRB's guidelines permit operations in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, contradicting the order.
- The dispute stems from conflicting interpretations of the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) guidelines, which allocated 15,000 riders per operator in Metro Manila and 3,000 riders per operator outside Metro Manila.
- The LTFRB's order potentially threatens the livelihoods of around 14,000 riders in the motorcycle transportation business, indicating a need for clear guidelines and potential reevaluation of the rider quotas in provincial operations.
