A network of digital advocates welcomed today the recommendation of the House of Representatives Committee on Metro Manila Development to ban Grab-owned motorcycle taxi firm Move It.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that banning the operation of Move It is only just as it allowed the backdoor entry of Grab in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.
“This is a welcome development as the Grab-Move It deal has skirted previous orders from the technical working group of the motorcycle taxi program not allowing Grab to participate in the program. We are now urging the technical working group to heed the recommendation of the committee.”
Gustilo also urged motorcycle taxi companies participating in the pilot study to accommodate the riders that may be affected if the technical working group of the motorcycle taxi pilot program heeds the committee’s recommendation so that the passengers will not be burdened.
“The affected riders should be accommodated by motorcycle taxi firms if the TWG will adopt the recommendation so that the passengers will not be burdened by this action.”
It can be recalled that the Committee on Metro Manila Development conducted the investigation after Digital Pinoys and other cause-oriented groups wrote to Committee Chairperson and Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano against the backdoor entry of Grab via its acquisition of Move It. Grab-Move It disclosed that the TNVS monopoly has 99% ownership of the motorcycle taxi firm.
The investigation also revealed the unfair treatment of Grab to its delivery riders and TNVS drivers, the unsettled fines and penalties imposed by the Philippine Competition Commission and Grab’s abuse of the surge pricing mechanism.
Reference: Ronald Gustilo, Digital Pinoys, National Campaigner
