Manila:The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has assured support for thousands of "overboarded" motorcycle taxi riders while withholding details of its ongoing investigation into the matter. The LTFRB is focusing on crafting measures to protect the welfare of these riders.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LTFRB stated it is constrained from providing full details of the investigation due to due process requirements. The decision regarding the motorcycle taxi platform provider remains pending as a motion for reconsideration has been filed.

The agency emphasized its commitment to addressing the situation for the thousands of riders who invested their resources in good faith, believing they were operating within the rules and regulations. The LTFRB is working on measures to ensure compliance with government regulations by ride-hailing services' online boarding systems.

This assurance follows a protest by motorcycle taxi rider groups in front of the LTFRB office on October 23. The protestors urged the agency not to dismiss riders due to "overboarding," a situation where a platform's rider count exceeds the 15,000 cap set by the government.

Motorcycle Riders Association co-convenor Jayson Luna highlighted that many riders were unaware they were part of the excess. Don Pangan, secretary general of the riders' group Kagulong, attributed the issue to the ride-hailing apps that accepted the applications.

Following the protest, Luna and Pangan met with an LTFRB official who assured them that riders would not lose their jobs as the institutionalization process for motorcycle taxis progresses.