Manila:The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has expressed its commitment to supporting thousands of "overboarded" motorcycle taxi riders while withholding details of its ongoing investigation into the matter.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LTFRB stated that it is unable to disclose all information regarding the investigation due to considerations of due process. The agency's decision remains pending as the motorcycle taxi platform provider involved has filed a motion for reconsideration.

The LTFRB emphasized its focus on addressing the concerns of the affected riders, who have invested their resources in their livelihoods and trusted that they were operating legally under existing regulations. The board is currently developing measures to manage the situation and ensure compliance with government regulations by ride-hailing services.

This announcement follows a protest by motorcycle taxi rider groups at the LTFRB office on October 23. The groups called on the agency to refrain from dismissing riders due to "overboarding," which occurs when a platform's rider count surpasses the government's limit of 15,000. Jayson Luna, co-convenor of the Motorcycle Riders Association, noted that many riders were unaware they were part of the excess. Don Pangan, the secretary general of Kagulong, argued that ride-hailing apps were responsible for accepting excess applications.

After the protest, Luna and Pangan met with an LTFRB official, who assured them that the riders would retain their jobs as the process of institutionalizing motorcycle taxis progresses.