‘Di Pwede ‘Yan: Transport Groups Say Grab’s Acquisition of Move It Needs Review

‘Di Pwede ‘Yan: Transport Groups Say Grab’s Acquisition of Move It Needs Review

UPDATE:  Move It has reached out to us, and gave this statement in response to the presscon held by the four “cause-oriented” civic groups:

Move It remains one of the three motorcycle operators, and its accreditation remains it’s own and does not transfer to Grab.

This is the same situation in Angkas, one of the two other MC taxi operators, which got investments from a foreign company. Creador, the investor, did not acquire the accreditation of Angkas.

Move It is a legitimate and law-abiding participant in the MC taxi pilot, and we stand for democratizing the MC taxi service to serve more Filipinos. Regardless of its ownership, Move It maintains its own corporate identity and branding under the leadership of its Chairman Mr. Francis Juan. Given the transition of government, we prudently and proactively informed all relevant government agencies – based on our rigorous legal due diligence.

The allegations against Grab and Move It are obviously an attempt to keep Move It so small that it would not pose any competition to the two other operators.

The competition will make the MC taxi business vibrant and its service better for the benefit of the riding public.

Move It welcomes the entry of more operators for the public good. This will force all operators to compete and offer the best services and benefits to both drivers and riders.

(ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS)

Four “cause-oriented” civic groups, in their capacity as concerned citizens, filed a joint petition calling on the government’s inter-agency Technical Working Group (TWG), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to review the sale of Move It Philippines to Grab. 

grab move it sale

Said groups are the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, National Public Transport Coalition, ARANGKADA Riders Alliance, and Digital Pinoys.

According to Atty. Ariel Inton, founder of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, the deal between Grab and Move It is designed for Grab to have instant accreditation from TWG by virtue of its acquisition of Move It

“It should not mean that when a TWG accredited company withdraws or shows that it is no longer interested in operating a motorcycle taxi service, very much like the planned sale of Move It to Grab, the accreditation is automatically transferred,” explained Atty. Inton.

As for the National Campaigner of Digital Pinoy Ronald Gustilo, he fears that the riding public will face rising fare prices with this move.

“The reason why two-wheeled ride-hailing services are patronized by the consumer is that it is by far much more affordable than using Grab, and then now Grab will acquire Move It,” Gustilo said.

“In fact, the Philippine Competition Commission has ordered Grab to refund commuters for over-pricing. They were asked to refund P25.45M million but they’re only able to refund P6.15 million. Kung nagawa nila yan sa TNVS, hindi ba nila gagawin yan sa motorcycle taxis?, he added”

The ARANGKADA Riders Alliance further added that Grab has unsettled complaints and obligations, which makes them question its ability to take care of the welfare of its riders. As a matter of fact, Grab Food delivery bikers recently held a strike denouncing the decrease in delivery fee for the first three kilometers from P49 pesos to P26 pesos.

“It is quite alarming that Grab will acquire Move It as it still has failed to address the many complaints of riders. The acquisition of Move It by Grab will add more complaints received by ARANGKADA that need to be addressed,” the group said.

Altogether, the group stated that the Senate, Congress, and newly-elected President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. know the potential impact of having a proper motorcycle taxi law and that in the end, it is truly the welfare of the Filipino riding public that is at risk

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