MC Taxi Riders Appeal to Government Amid Overboarding Issue MANILA, Philippines, October 22, 2026 — Motorcycle taxi riders are calling on the Marcos administration and transport regulatory bodies to provide those operating beyond government-set caps a pathway to legal recognition, stressing their readiness to comply with government requirements and continue earning a living for their families. Months after the issue of so-called “ghost riders” first came to public attention, affected riders are hoping the government can find a solution that protects their livelihoods while formally bringing them into the regulated motorcycle taxi system. Motorcycle Taxi Rider Association (METRO), an advocacy group promoting rider welfare and responsible industry regulation, said the issue has long been raised in dialogues that they’ve attended with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). “Hindi naman humihingi ng espesyal na pagtrato ang mga rider. Ang hinihingi lang nila ay pagkakataong maging legal at patuloy na maghanapbuhay. Marami sa kanila ang umaasa sa bawat pasada para maitawid ang pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya,” said METRO Lead Convener, Jason Luna, Luna emphasized that riders who were onboarded without knowing their platform had already exceeded its authorized allocation deserve an opportunity to comply with government requirements. “Handa namang sumunod ang mga rider sa tamang proseso. Kung kailangan ng verification, kumpletong dokumento, training, at safety assessment, dapat nilang pagdaanan iyon. Ang mahalaga, magkaroon ng malinaw at patas na paraan para maging legal ang mga rider na makakatugon sa mga requirements,” he added. METRO stressed that rider protection and regulatory compliance should go hand in hand, with passenger safety, proper authorization, and consistent standards maintained across motorcycle taxi platforms. The group also called for a clear distinction between platform accountability and the circumstances of individual riders who may have been unaware of allocation violations. “Kung may paglabag ang isang kumpanya, dapat itong tugunan sa tamang proseso. Pero hindi rin makatarungan na ang ordinaryong rider at ang kanyang pamilya ang agad mawalan ng kabuhayan dahil sa mga desisyong hindi naman siya ang gumawa,” Luna said. METRO said it plans to bring the appeal directly to the LTFRB on Friday, October 23, alongside affected riders seeking clarity on their status and a chance to continue working legally. “Ang panawagan namin sa gobyerno ay simple: pakinggan ang mga rider, tiyaking nasusunod ang mga patakaran, at bigyan sila ng pagkakataong magpatuloy sa kanilang hanapbuhay nang legal at ligtas,” Luna concluded.