Editor’s note: updated with statement and photo from the Presidential Communications Office
The President of the Philippines said the government is working with Singapore-based ride-hailing firm Grab to legalize motorcycle taxis and to relax regulations on transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) in the country.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos met with the officials of Grab Holdings Inc. led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Tan in Malacañang on Tuesday, The Manila Times reported.
“We’re working with Grab to legalize motorcycle taxis and relax regulations on TNVS,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. “More transport options will benefit commuters, drivers and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises).”
Marcos welcomed Grab Philippines’ contribution in generating local employment in the country, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.
“Your impact on unemployment numbers is comprises about 1.1 percent of the increase in employment in the past year and half. That was Grab, so the 300,000 that we’re talking about has a significant effect,” Marcos told Grab officials.
Tan told the President that when they bought “Move It”, the company was doing 8,000 rides a day. This has increased to over 300,000 every day.
This was Marcos’ second time meeting Tan in Malacañan, according to The Manila Times. In February last year, the President secured an investment commitment from Grab, which could translate into 500,000 jobs.
The Singapore-headquartered super app is also seeking the President’s support to back its plans for the Philippines, saying it targets to increase its ridership to half a million rides a day from the current 300,000.
Last year, Grab recommended the deregulation of the supply of TNVS and the legalization of motorcycle taxis.
The Department of Transportation said the removal of the supply cap will need further evaluation, which will be based on the consultation and data provided by the transportation network companies and other relevant data.
In 2023, Grab created more than 100,000 driver and operator jobs and digitalized more than 15,000 small and medium enterprises.
GrabCar operates in 25 cities while GrabFood provides services to more than 100 cities nationwide, according to the report.
Grab provides online-to-offline services in the most number of cities across Southeast Asia, with a presence in over 500 cities and towns. Grab is present in eight countries across the region, information from its website showed.
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