RIDE-hailing service Grab has pledged to generate 500,000 jobs once Congress approves the proposal seeking to regulate and legalize the operation of motorcycle taxis and if government pushes through with the modernization of the transportation industry.
Grab chief executive officer EO and co-founder Anthony Tan, during a courtesy call on President Marcos Jr. in Malacañang yesterday, said his company, which started operations in the Philippines in July 2013, has been pilot-testing the operations of motorized taxis for four years now.
He said they intend to expand operations to Davao, Cebu, and Iloilo.
At present, however, the use of motorcycles to transport passengers or freight are prohibited but requests to review the policy and allow motorcycles as a form of public transportation prompted the transportation department to pilot test the operation of motorcycle taxis within Metro Manila and Metro Cebu in 2019.
Various bills have been proposed to regulate and legalize the operation of motorcycle taxis as public utility vehicles to ensure the safety and protection of passengers.
Tan said at least 500,000 jobs stand to be created once the operation of motorcycle taxis is approved.
The President expressed much interest in Grab’s report as he reaffirmed his commitment to create more jobs for the Filipinos.
“We had always stressed that what we have to do is create jobs right now. Because so many businesses closed, so many people really have no place to go, even the OFWs. So… we need to find jobs,” Marcos said.
The President said his administration has created approximately close to two million jobs since he started office which contributed to the drop in the country’s unemployment rate.
