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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider On Labor Day, Gutierrez pushes for swift passage of Motorcycle Taxi Law

On Labor Day, Gutierrez pushes for swift passage of Motorcycle Taxi Law

Published May 1, 2026 02:10 pm

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Majority Leader Rodge Gutierrez renews his Labor Day call for the immediate passage of the proposed Motorcycle Taxi Law to secure lasting job protections for riders.
  • The measure, refiled as House Bill No. 4416, seeks to institutionalize motorcycle taxi services, set demand-based rider caps, mandate social protections, and strengthen DOTr and LTFRB regulatory authority.
  • Gutierrez acknowledges the DOTr's temporary halt on new riders as a necessary short-term step but insists that only legislation can provide genuine job security and legal protection for thousands of motorcycle taxi and delivery workers.
1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez (PPAB)
1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez (PPAB)


House Deputy Majority Leader 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez reiterated on Labor Day his call for the immediate passage of the proposed Motorcycle Taxi Law.
“Labor Day is about honoring workers and securing their future. Let us move beyond temporary fixes and give our riders the dignity and stability they have earned through their hard work on the roads,” Gutierrez said on Friday, May 1.
1-Rider Party-list has long championed the measure. In the previous 19th Congress, the group successfully pushed for the approval of the Motorcycle Taxi Bill on third and final reading.
The group has since resubmitted the measure in the 20th Congress as House Bill (HB) No. 4416. It seeks to institutionalize motorcycle taxi services, establish clear demand-based caps on rider numbers, mandate social protections and benefits for riders, and grant the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) the strong, enforceable authority they need.
At the same time. Gutierrez expressed understanding for the DOTr's firm actions to protect existing riders, even as he stressed that temporary measures alone were insufficient.
The ranking solon emphasized the need for the immediate passage of the proposed Motorcycle Taxi Law to deliver lasting job security and legal protections for thousands of motorcycle taxi workers.
Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez recently ordered an immediate stop to the acceptance of new drivers and riders by Transportation Network Companies (TNC) and Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program (MTPP) operators following reports that several companies exceeded their authorized quotas.
The LTFRB was also directed to strictly enforce existing regulations and study appropriate penalties for violators.
“We understand the need to temporarily halt new onboarding given what the DSWD has uncovered. But we hope the agencies will use this opportunity to better the system, strengthen rider protections, and ensure only legitimate operators continue serving the public," said Gutierrez.
The senior vice chairman of the House Committee on Transportation has noted that while the DOTr’s directive is a necessary short-term intervention, it remains a band-aid solution without legislative backing.
“This is a band-aid solution without a law. The DOTr needs permanent teeth to properly implement regulations, protect the livelihoods of thousands of existing riders, and prevent the market from being flooded again once the pause is lifted,” he said.
Gutierrez vowed to continue to fight for the welfare of motorcycle taxi and delivery riders.
“Sa Araw po ng mga Manggagawa, ipinaglalaban po namin ang libo-libong motorcycle taxi at delivery riders na gumigising bago sumikat ang araw, nagtiis sa matinding trapiko, at walang sawang sumusuporta sa kanilang mga pamilya araw-araw. Sila po ay karapat-dapat sa tunay na seguridad sa trabaho at legal na proteksyon — hindi lamang pansamantalang executive actions na maaaring bawiin anumang oras,” he said.
(On Labor Day, we fight for the thousands of motorcycle taxi and delivery riders who wake before sunrise, endure heavy traffic, and tirelessly support their families every day. They deserve genuine job security and legal protection — not just temporary executive actions that can be withdrawn at any time.)

Related Tags

Rodge Gutierrez 1-Rider Party-list Labor Day Motorcycle taxi
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