Lawmakers bat for wage hikes, higher fares for motor taxis, delivery riders

A lawmaker on Tuesday called for the inclusion of motorcycle taxis and delivery riders in recently approved fare increases due to rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict.

1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez made the call in light of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)’s approval of fare hikes for traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs), metro and city buses, provincial buses, airport taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS) for cars, and point-to-point (P2P) services.

“Conspicuously and unjustly left out from these relief efforts are our motorcycle taxi riders and our hardworking delivery riders. I dare ask… Bakit (Why)? This representation believes that hindi dapat mapag-iwanan ang mga motorcycle taxi riders at ang mga delivery riders (motorcycle taxi riders and delivery riders should not be left behind),” Gutierrez said.

In a privilege speech, Gutierrez noted that motorcycle taxi riders and delivery riders are also essential workers who bear the same fuel burdens and provide critical daily services to millions of Filipinos.

“The exclusion is not only unfair but risks pushing these riders into deeper financial distress and potentially disrupting essential services many rely on. Our riders are not asking for privileges. They are asking for fairness and inclusion,” he said.

Gutierrez urged the LTFRB, Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the House to take the following steps:

• Review and approve reasonable fare adjustments for motorcycle taxi services that reflect current economic realities without excessively burdening commuters,
• Extend targeted subsidies, fuel assistance, or other support mechanisms specifically to motorcycle riders and delivery personnel to mitigate oil price volatility, and
• Conduct inclusive consultations with rider organizations.

“Supporting them [riders] aligns with our shared commitment to economic recovery, just labor practices, and inclusive growth,” he said.

Wage hike, too

In a separate statement, House deputy speaker and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza urged the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene a special session to urgently deliberate and pass the proposed P200 legislated wage hike.

“Diesel prices already reached over P100 per liter, and yet the P200 minimum wage hike is not yet in sight. Should we wait for the world oil prices to reach over $200 per barrel before we consider wage hike? Fares, food prices, are all increasing and yet the wages remain stuck,” Mendoza said.

“Kung kailangan mag-overtime ng manggagawa para lang mairaos ang pamilya dahil sa four-day work week at dahil sa sobrang mahal ng bilihin, dapat handa ring mag-overtime ang Kongreso at Senado para ipasa ang dagdag-sahod,” he added.

(If workers are required to go on overtime just to make ends meet for their families, then Congress should also render overtime to pass the legislated wage hike.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News