President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced that the government is working closely with Grab, a Singapore-based ride-hailing firm, to legalize motorcycle taxis and ease regulations on transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) in the country. This development comes as a positive step towards providing more transport options for commuters, drivers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
During a meeting at Malacañang, President Marcos and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos met with officials from Grab Holdings Inc., led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Tan. In a Facebook post, President Marcos expressed his commitment to working with Grab to legalize motorcycle taxis and relax TNVS regulations, emphasizing the potential benefits for all stakeholders involved.
President Marcos also acknowledged Grab Philippines’ significant contribution to local employment. He commended the company for its impact on reducing unemployment numbers, stating that Grab’s operations accounted for approximately 1.1 percent of the increase in employment over the past year and a half. This recognition highlights the positive influence that Grab has had on the economy, particularly in terms of job creation.
During the meeting, Anthony Tan informed President Marcos that Grab’s acquisition of “Move It” resulted in a substantial increase in daily rides. Previously, the company facilitated around 8,000 rides per day, but this number has now soared to over 300,000 rides daily. President Marcos expressed his satisfaction with Grab’s growth and emphasized the potential for even further expansion.
This is the second meeting between President Marcos and Anthony Tan at Malacañang. In February of last year, President Marcos secured an investment commitment from Grab, which had the potential to generate 500,000 jobs. Grab, as a super-app developer, is seeking the President’s support to realize its plans for the Philippines, aiming to increase its ridership to half a million rides per day from the current 300,000.
It is worth noting that Grab has been advocating for the deregulation of TNVS supply and the legalization of motorcycle taxis. These recommendations have been made with the intention of improving transportation options and addressing the needs of commuters. However, the Department of Transportation has stated that the removal of the supply cap will require further evaluation.
In recent years, Grab has made significant strides in the Philippines. In 2023 alone, the company created over 100,000 driver and operator jobs and facilitated the digitalization of more than 15,000 small and medium enterprises. GrabCar operates in 25 cities across the country, while GrabFood provides services to over 100 cities nationwide.
The collaboration between President Marcos Jr. and Grab represents a promising development for the transportation sector in the Philippines. By legalizing motorcycle taxis and relaxing TNVS regulations, the government aims to enhance the overall transportation experience for commuters, create more employment opportunities, and support the growth of MSMEs. With Grab’s commitment to expanding its services and ridership, the future of the ride-hailing industry in the Philippines looks promising.
Source: The Manila Times
