Grab Philippines and MOVE IT, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), have officially launched the Asenso Center, the first livelihood hub of its kind in the country and Grab’s Southeast Asia network.

The one-hectare facility is designed to professionalize the onboarding of platform workers and entrepreneurs, accelerate AI-driven income opportunities, and streamline access to social protection programs such as SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth. It also provides microinsurance and welfare coverage through Chubb and AXA, offering a holistic support ecosystem for digital workers.

Grab Philippines Country Managing Director Ronald Roda said the Asenso Center transforms the company’s on-ground insights into tangible empowerment.

“Grab is one of the Philippines’ most mature platform work ecosystems, giving us a ground level understanding of what Filipino platform workers and micro-entrepreneurs truly need to thrive,” Roda said. “The Asenso Center opens dignified, digitally powered livelihoods, equips our partners with practical AI copilots, and helps families convert opportunity into income at scale.”

Meanwhile, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda underscored the vital role of the gig economy in improving the lives of Filipino families, calling Grab and MOVE IT partners the “frontline of the digital economy.”

“In every trip you take, there’s a child who gets to eat, tuition that gets paid, and medical bills that are settled, that’s what real change looks like,” Aguda remarked. “You are the frontline of the digital economy.”

Aguda also emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in achieving the DICT’s vision of creating millions of digital livelihoods across the country.

Apart from this, Secretary Aguda made a notable suggestion by encouraging Grab Philippines to consider going public through an initial public offering (IPO), emphasizing that such a move would open more avenues for Filipinos to invest and co-own a company that directly empowers people through job creation and inclusive participation in the gig economy.

“An IPO for Grab Philippines would allow the public to take part in its success story,” Aguda said. “It’s a chance for ordinary Filipinos to invest in a company that not only drives innovation but also transforms lives by creating sustainable digital livelihoods.”

A Flagship for Professionalized AI Driven Livelihoods

The Asenso Center supports Grab’s commitment to create 500,000 livelihood opportunities under its partnership with the national government. The company has already reached 73 percent of its five-year goal and is on track to exceed the target ahead of schedule.

Merchant participation is also on the rise, with the number of Community Merchants increasing by 30 percent year on year as more local MSMEs formalize their businesses online.

The facility integrates AI enablement into partner development through mobile-first tools such as the Merchant AI Assistant and AI Driver Companion, both designed to help partners work more efficiently and responsibly.

“Used responsibly, AI becomes a force multiplier — an exponent on every hour of work online,” Roda explained. “Our goal is to make enterprise-grade tools accessible through a smartphone, raise standards of safety and service, and broaden participation in the growing AI economy.”

Among those using the Merchant AI Assistant is Marvin Catimbang, Chief Operating Officer of Coffee Blanc and a GrabFood 5-Star Eats Merchant Partner, who said the tool automates daily tasks and helps analyze consumer insights critical to business growth.

Viable Earnings and Accessible Protection

Grab said platform productivity is structured so that active partners working at least eight hours a day can achieve family-sustaining income levels with many surpassing this threshold depending on demand, service type, and time of day.

MOVE IT rider partner and community leader Nica “Khang” Brieta shared how her earnings have supported her education and family.

“Dahil po sa kita ko sa MOVE IT, napag-aral ko po ang aking sarili pati ang aking kapatid. Nasisiguro ko rin na natutustusan ko ang medikal na pangangailangan ng aking anak. Sa MOVE IT, empowered kaming mga kababaihan na makipagsabayan sa kalsada para kumita nang patas para sa aming mga pamilya.”

For his part, MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto emphasized that professionalization and protection must go hand in hand.

“From safety training and service standards to modular benefits and on-trip coverage, the Asenso Center helps driver partners build sustainable, future proof livelihoods,” he said.

The Asenso Center also integrates social protection enrollment directly into its onboarding process, enabling partners to register for SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth while opting for private insurance coverage. For top performing partners, Grab and MOVE IT subsidize Pag-IBIG contributions and provide free life insurance in addition to standard on-trip protection.

Grab’s responsible AI framework follows four guiding principles: improve safety, protect privacy, keep people in control, and make learning simple — reinforcing its commitment to ethical innovation.

“AI should reward effort, not replace it,” Roda concluded. “Our role is to lower the barrier to entry into the AI economy, protect user trust, and ensure that Filipino workers and MSMEs capture the full benefit of digital transformation.”

The Papugay Awards ceremony was a highlight of Move It’s annual year-end celebration, which gathered thousands of rider-partners and their families for a day filled with activities and entertainment. The event featured photo booths, games, raffles, comedy shows, a talent competition, a rock concert, and even motorcycle maintenance services.

While Move It Day is the company’s annual year-end event to show its appreciation to the thousands of rider-partners, the Papugay Awards is the company’s way of recognizing rider-partners that exemplifies the company’s values of integrity, respect, and commitment to safety and quality service. To qualify for the  Papugay Awards, rider-partners must demonstrate exceptional booking completion rates, maintain high star ratings, ensure safe driving practices, and receive exemplary feedback from passengers.

During the event, four “Papugay” awardees shared their inspiring stories, encouraging fellow riders to strive for success.

One of them was Cyrus Panopio, 38, who has been tagged as an “Alamat”—the highest tier for Move It riders.

As an Alamat, Panopio enjoys a robust array of incentives, including P2,000 worth of groceries, gas money, medicine, and GrabFood vouchers each month. While Panopio also runs a small business that supports his family, including his mother who suffered a stroke, his Move It earnings have provided extra financial stability. He hopes to use this additional income to fund his three sons’ education until they earn their degrees.

“Bumabiyahe kasi ako ng 5 to 10 a.m., tapos umuuwi ako para ihatid ang mga anak ko sa school, mamalengke at magluto. Pagkatapos ng kaunting pahinga, balik-biyahe ako ng 4 to 10 p.m.,” Panopio said. He noted that the flexibility offered by the platform allows him to balance his time between his livelihood, his business, and family much more easily. 

Fulfilling full-time livelihood

Another one of the Papugay awardees, Benjie Boladas Bechayda, 33, quit his old regular job as a security guard for a popular shopping mall chain to instead go full-time with Move It.

Boladas started as a part-timer for Move It only last March, before realizing that he could earn twice more than his previous work by going full steam ahead as a moto taxi rider.

In the past, he rendered 12-hour duty in his security guard job, then spent late nights until early morning with his Move It gig. But since July, Boladas has made Move It his main bread and butter.

“Sa dati kong trabaho, nagsasangla pa ako ng ATM card, at wala rin masyadong oras para sa pamilya,” Boladas recalls. “Ngayon, malaki ang pasok ng grasya—guminhawa ang buhay ng pamilya ko.” 

With more time to spend with his wife and children, including their six-month-old baby, and earning a higher income, Boladas is now focused on building or buying a house for their growing family.

For her part, 29-year-old Merry Ann Paz, a single mother, juggles the responsibility of raising and providing for her two children. 

Aside from sending her kids to school, Paz is also responsible for paying the monthly bills – relying primarily on her earnings from Move It to successfully fulfill the role. However, as a female moto-taxi rider, Paz initially had qualms about becoming a full-time rider-partner due to concerns about her safety.

“Noong una, kinakabahan ako na mag-moto taxi dahil na rin sa mga safety issues na pwedeng kaharapin sa daan,” Paz says. The solo parent breadwinner emphasized that Move It provides training on road safety to help them navigate busy thoroughfares safely. Additionally, the platform touts a suite of security and reporting features that enhance their safety. She added that she picked up a lot from online courses via the Move It Academy learning platform, focused on defensive driving, safe spaces, and passenger handling. 

Now, what is a former ambulance driver—and a strong and independent woman at that—like Merlani Lacson, 45, doing as a Move It rider?

Lacson’s old job rushing sick people to hospital for a decade, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, had made her a fighter.

After driving ambulances for a local government in Metro Manila, Lacson was also a family driver for six months, until she realized that riding motorcycles is the better livelihood option.

“Matagal ko nang gustong mag-motor dahil mas madaling magmaniobra sa daan,” Lacson beams. So for Lacson, becoming a Move It rider now is a dream come true.

And it’s Move It that’s likewise giving her the flexibility—since she serves commuters from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lacson reserves her nights to be with her teenage children. Now a widow, Lacson is looking forward to the day when one of her sons can finish the IT course they’re also dreaming of.

This positive relationship between Move It and its riders is driving the company, and the moto taxi industry to new heights.”

Move It General Manager Wayne Jacinto said, “Sa bawat Move It rider-partner, taus-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong katapatan at kasipagan bilang maaasahang tagapaghatid ng mga pasaherong Pilipino. Ang inyong dedikasyon at pagsisikap ang dahilan kung bakit libo-libong mananakay sa araw-araw ang nakakapasok sa opisina at nakakauwi sa kanilang mga pamilya nang mas madali at mas ligtas. Kami ay nagagalak na maging bahagi ng bawat byahe ninyo sa pag-abot ng inyong mga pangarap, habang sama-sama nating tinutugunan ang pangangailan ng mga komyuter para sa serbisyong ligtas, tapat at maasahan.”

“By forging strategic collaborations with esteemed organizations in road safety and emergency response, we continuously evolve our training and assessment program blueprint, aligning with globally recognized certification and training standards,” adds Jacinto.

Sharing the Dedication to Road Safety with HONDA Safety Driving Center

MOVE IT further strengthened its partnership with HONDA for a training series dedicated to its team of trainers, assessors, and safety program designers. This collaboration has continued to thrive since its inception in 2022. 

This initiative saw the MOVE IT team participating in an intensive training program spread across three core courses, with the goal of achieving certification as road safety instructors and assessors:

• Motorcycle Skills Certification (Intermediate to Advanced Courses)
  • A certification program focused on assessment of road safety awareness, and professional driving skills. 
• Safety Riding Course
  • A training course focused on enriching the instructors’ road safety mindset and knowledge on how to become a responsible road user.
• Basic Motorcycle Troubleshooting
  • A training course on how to ascertain the roadworthiness of a vehicle. 

After completing the certification program, MOVE IT trainers and assessors are empowered to implement MOVE IT’s mandatory skills and vehicle assessment program for prospective rider-partners. 

The same team vets aspiring rider-partners who will move on to the next phase of the MOVE IT onboarding process, which is the mandatory Driver Guidelines Orientation and Training.  This program – designed after principles and guidelines set by the HONDA Road Safety team – places a strong emphasis on road safety and rider conduct, ensuring MOVE IT’s full compliance with established government standards.

On top of the certification program, the MOVE IT assessment and upskilling team also participates in courses on analytical driving, motorcycle dynamics, and practical application of topics like motorcycle handling, corrective riding posture, and traffic rules and regulations. 

MOVE IT has also co-developed road safety courses with the HONDA Safety Driving Center, which are integrated into its orientation process and are made accessible to every rider via the in-app learning platform MOVE IT Academy. 

Boosting MOVE IT’s Emergency Response Unit with the Philippine Red Cross

In a move towards enhancing safety and response measures, MOVE IT fortified its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for an advanced training program designed specifically for the members of its Emergency Response Unit (ERU). The ERU is composed of volunteer rider leaders and a dedicated contingent from the MOVE IT team. 

This initiative seeks to set new standards in emergency response and assistance in the motorcycle taxi industry. The training program encompasses a wide range of topics crucial for emergency preparedness and response, including Emergency Action Principle, Basic First Aid, Environmental Emergencies, and Special Situations. 

Following the completion of workshop sessions with the PRC, the MOVE IT ERU members undergo further evaluation before being officially deployed as emergency responders.

The ERU responds to road incidents reported through the platform via the MOVE IT Hotline, the in-app Safety Center, or the Emergency SOS Button. They conduct a quick assessment of the situation, provide comprehensive on-site support, and facilitate communication with riders, passengers, and their families. 

Lastly, the ERU administers basic first aid when required, while remaining to defer to professional medics for full-fledged medical attention and action. 

“We are thankful for collaborations with organizations such as HONDA Safety Driving Center and the Philippine Red Cross, for these deepen our industrial knowledge – allowing us to better our service to every passenger and heighten our commitment to safety,” notes Jacinto. 

The inaugural forum served as an avenue for MOVE IT to garner insights from a diverse base of regular passengers about moto-taxi safety mechanisms, while also allowing the company to share updates on its current thrusts on safety and service reliability.

MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto spearheaded the forum, leading the deliberation and sharing of various strategies the platform is currently undertaking to ensure safety. Among the pivotal topics discussed were the expansion of skills training for riders, activation of advanced safety features, constant upgrading of safety gears, and the fortification of emergency response programs.

“Itong ating passenger forum ay isa sa ating mga initiatives upang mas mapaganda ang ating serbisyo at mas mapaigting ang ating mga hakbangin patungkol sa kaligtasan. Ating pinapahalagahan ang bawat komento, ideya at mungkahi ng mga komyuter na ating pinagsisilbihan sapagkat dahil sa mga ito, mas nakikita natin kung saang aspeto tayo dapat magsumikap pa at magtuon ng pansin. Marami man kaming nailunsad na programa patungkol sa kaligtasan at pagiging maasahan na platform ng MOVE IT, alam namin na dapat walang tigil ang pagpapabuti ng platform. At sa tulong ng ating mga mahal na pasahero at rider, lalo nating masisiguro ang tagumpay nito,” MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto said.

The first-ever face-to-face passenger feedback forum complements MOVE IT’s existing in-app feedback mechanisms, such as the post-ride rating system, activity tab, and report-an-issue feature.

Intensifying Safety on MOVE IT

Building on the productive discussions with commuter groups and the feedback shared in-app about MOVE IT, the motorcycle taxi platform has swiftly implemented new safety measures and technologies, further solidifying its commitment to road safety.

Focusing on Road Safety Skills: MOVE IT prioritizes rider skills and a positive mindset for a safer riding experience. It expanded its skills development and assessment program by adding mandatory quarterly training sessions. These sessions refresh rider-partners on driver guidelines and safety protocols; and update them on techniques to navigate various road challenges safely and effectively. Additionally, MOVE IT has introduced new face-to-face values and behavior seminars, further promoting a professional and courteous rider community.

Activating New Technologies: MOVE IT stays at the forefront of safety with its cutting-edge technology. Recognizing that optimal speed is crucial, it now leverages real-time data analytics to monitor rider-partner speed. This allows for immediate “Overspeeding Alerts,” prompting riders to adjust their pace accordingly.

Elevating Emergency Response: MOVE IT also strengthens its emergency response as it grows its on-ground Emergency Response Team, adding more personnel and resources to the program across Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan De Oro. Capitalizing on the bayanihan among MOVE IT riders, the platform is introducing incentives for proactive accident reports. This encourages riders to look out for each other and contribute to a safer riding environment. These measures allow MOVE IT to attend to any untoward incident on the road in less than 30 minutes.

Prioritizing Gear Quality: Lastly, MOVE IT has implemented a stricter and more regular cadence of gear quality inspection. In line with this, the platform also pledged to continually provide incentives-based gear, such as new helmets, to ensure that rider-partners are equipped with top-tier protective equipment for both them and their passengers.

Moving forward, MOVE IT will continue to engage more deeply with the communities it serves to offer a safer and more convenient motorcycle ride-hailing experience for Filipino commuters. The moto-taxi provider also encourages its passengers and drivers to proactively share feedback via channels such as Passenger and Driver Feedback Features, In-App Ratings, and the MOVE IT Hotline. This will significantly help the platform to quickly evolve and enhance its safety and reliability as a provider of two-wheel transportation.

MOVE IT rider-partners undergo rigorous skills assessment exercises as part of the pre-onboarding process. Rider-partners who qualify are invited for annual skills refresh and assessment sessions as part of MOVE IT’s enduring commitment to safety

Manila, Philippines, 25 March 2024 – Homegrown motorcycle taxi company MOVE IT strengthens its commitment to providing safe and secure transportation to its passengers and rider-partners.

The two-wheel ride-hailing platform has launched its ‘Malasakit sa Biyahe’ Safety and Protection Program – a multi-pronged initiative focused on key safety elements such as skills assessment and development; technology and report mechanisms; and rider and vehicle roadworthiness.

MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto shares: “Bilang isa sa mga participants ng Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study, isang napakahalagang aspeto ng aming serbisyo sa MOVE IT ang kaligtasan – hindi lamang ng aming mga pasahero kundi pati ng bawat Kuya at Ate ng Kalsada. Hindi lamang po pangako ang ‘kaligtasan’ para sa amin; bagkus ito ay bahagi na ng aming prinsipyo. Kaya patuloy ang ating pagpapalawig ng mga programa, alituntunin at tech features upang mas mapaigting ang kaligtasan ng ating bawat biyahe. Malayo na ang ating narating pagdating dito at patuloy pa tayong mag-iimprove para sa bawat pasaherong patuloy na nagtitiwala at tumatangkilik sa aming serbisyo, at maging sa mga riders na umaasa sa MOVE IT para sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na kabuhayan.”

Prioritizing Skills Assessment and Development

Foundational to the safety and security principle of MOVE IT is the assessment and development of the skillset of its rider network. Before onboarding, every aspiring MOVE IT rider-partner undergoes a rigorous identification; and skills and vehicular roadworthiness assessment process. Rider-partners are now also required to do an annual mandatory retraining and vehicle inspection.

Believing in the transformative impact of continuous education, MOVE IT has also partnered with various organizations and agencies in the implementation of capacity-building programs. These sessions cover topics such as road safety, passenger handling, and vehicle maintenance. The moto-taxi platform has sealed partnerships with MMDA, PNP, and CEMEX in the pursuit of these programs.

MOVE IT has also recently announced its very first MOVE IT Kaligtasan Center, which is located at the MOVE IT-Grab Warehouse in Marikina. This is a designated facility for all skills development and assessment activities and will soon evolve to house dedicated help desks for rider and passenger concerns – effectively growing MOVE IT’s multi-channel help centers and consumer assistance channels. The homegrown moto-taxi platform is set to establish more Kaligtasan Centers in different cities in 2024.

Lastly, to ensure accessibility to its educational curriculums, MOVE IT offers its rider partners access to its very own MOVE IT Academy – an in-app online learning platform featuring safety-focused e-learning content. As of March 2024, 150,000 safety courses on MOVE IT Academy have been completed by rider-partners.

Leveraging Cutting-Edge Technology in Ensuring Safe Rides

MOVE IT, with its strategic partnership with leading superapp Grab, has pioneered several in-app features for passengers and its rider-partners geared at ensuring their safety and security on the road. With these user-friendly and readily accessible features, riders and passengers can go through rides with an extra layer of safety and added confidence.

Share My Ride: This feature allows riders and passengers to share their live location with colleagues and loved ones for easy tracking. A Share My Ride link can be disseminated by the user via different messaging apps and platforms.

Emergency SOS Button: This feature promptly connects users with local authorities and law enforcement, guaranteeing immediate response and assistance when required.

Manage Emergency Contacts: An exclusive feature on MOVE IT, this functionality allows users to store multiple family and emergency contacts for easy access and speed dial during emergencies.

With MOVE IT’s commitment to safety extending even after the ride, passengers also have access to the reporting mechanism ‘Report an Issue’ via the Activity Tab. Passengers just need to click the specific transaction they wish to file a report on and indicate the necessary details of their concern. On the driver app, a ‘Passenger Rating’ feature allows rider-partners to rate and provide feedback on the conduct of the passenger. Through this feature, MOVE IT can investigate any reported misconduct by some passengers and assist riders accordingly.

Leveraging its community of rider-partners, MOVE IT has also established ‘Ka-MOVE IT Emergency Responders’ – a league of MOVE IT riders trained by the platform and the Philippine Red Cross to conduct basic first aid and situation assessment. Connected via various communication channels, the Emergency Responders serve as MOVE IT’s invaluable on-the-road assets when incidents happen, therefore exponentially growing the capacity of the platform to conduct immediate aid to all concerned.

Passengers and riders are also encouraged to contact the 24/7 MOVE IT Safety Hotline at 02-8883-7109 for any incidents encountered on the road.

A Strong and Continuously Improving Safety Scorecard

Published in 2023, the MOVE IT Passenger Manifesto stresses the deep commitment of MOVE IT to safety: Laging Kaligtasan ang Una Sa Lahat. As a long-standing principle of the platform, safety on MOVE IT remains of paramount importance. This is attested to by its continuously improving scorecard. Touting its professionally trained and fully capable rider fleet, and its 24/7 incident response team; the platform currently maintains a 99.998% safety record and a less-than 30-minute average incident response time.

And it does not end here. The Passenger Manifesto endures with a bigger promise, which is Laging Nagsusumikap Para Mas Mapaganda ang Serbisyo Namin. This commitment to optimization pushes MOVE IT to offer safe, reliable, and honest rides every single day – elevating the standards in the local moto-taxi industry to the benefit of every commuter and rider.

Placido Parallag Jr., a 58-year-old former habal-habal rider, stands as a testament to this change. After joining MOVE IT in 2019, his dedication and exceptional service earned him the title of one of MOVE IT’s Top Riders in 2023, a remarkable achievement celebrated at the recent MOVE IT Year-End Festival held at the Philippine Sports Arena.

The Rise of a Professional

For a decade, Placido navigated the chaotic streets of Metro Manila as a habal-habal rider. His decision to join MOVE IT marked a turning point. “There are many reasons why former habal-habal riders like me join MOVE IT. One of them is insurance. We feel more confident knowing that every day, both we and our passengers are protected,” Placido shared. He also cited the substantial increase in his earnings, doubling his income compared to his previous informal practices, allowing him to provide better for his family. In addition to relying on his MOVE IT earnings as their source for day-to-day living expenses, Placido is diligently saving with the goal of constructing a home for his family in Tuguegarao – finally achieving a lifelong dream. 

MOVE IT’s Vision and Mission

Wayne Jacinto, MOVE IT’s General Manager, elaborates on the company’s mission: “We are committed to helping the government in professionalizing habal-habal riders. At MOVE IT, we focus on providing a livelihood that is safe, legal, trustworthy, and dependable for every moto-taxi rider whose only wish is to support their families.”

Empowerment through Training and Support

Beyond financial benefits, MOVE IT’s initiatives include comprehensive training and the ‘Habal-Habal to Legal’ program, offering guidance and support to habal-habal riders transitioning to the platform. These programs ensure adherence to safety standards and legal regulations, elevating the quality of service.

A Call for Government Collaboration

As MOVE IT strengthens its resolve to professionalize the habal-habal industry, the role of government support becomes increasingly vital. By endorsing and partnering with such initiatives, government bodies can facilitate a safer, more efficient, and empowered transport sector.

Looking Ahead

As 2024 unfolds, MOVE IT’s unwavering dedication to this cause promises continued growth and improvement in the lives of many more riders like Placido. This initiative not only empowers individuals but also contributes to the evolution of urban transportation in the Philippines, making a compelling case for government collaboration in this socially impactful endeavor.

The company recognized the pivotal role of the homegrown motorcycle taxi company and its rider-partners in the milestones it achieved in 2023. This prompted MOVE IT to celebrate through the MOVE IT Year-End Festival wherein thousands of MOVE IT rider-partners were honored for their hard work and dedication that led to the success of the MOVE IT community.

“Nakagagalak ng puso na makasama namin ang aming mga libo-libong tapat at masisispag na rider-partners sa MOVE IT Year-End Festival 2023. Naisasakatuparan ng MOVE IT ang pangako nitong magbigay ng ligtas, maasahan, at murang rides sa mga komyuter dahil sa ‘di matatawarang serbisyo ng aming mga rider-partners sa kanilang mga pasahero. Kami ay buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa Tropang Malupet. Kayo ang inspirasyon namin upang mas pagsumikapan pa ang pagpapaganda ng ating serbisyo sa bawat mananakay,” MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto shares.

The MOVE IT Year-End Festival 2023 not only marks a festive culmination but also serves as a tribute to the myriad milestones achieved by the company throughout the year. Delivering on its commitment to safety, reliability, honesty, and affordability, MOVE IT continues to win the trust of Filipino commuters as attested to by various independent polls and positive social media engagement.

Recent independent polls conducted within the ‘Commuters of the Philippines’ Facebook community indicate that MOVE IT consistently garners positive feedback from the public, establishing itself as a trusted and reliable motorcycle taxi option.

MOVE IT is also proud to have introduced programs aimed at transforming informal riders into professional moto-taxi providers. Jacinto affirms that MOVE IT will continue its consultative forum series with habal-habal leaders in 2024, while also expanding programs like the ‘Habal-Habal to Legal’ initiative, which provides comprehensive guidance and support to habal-habal riders applying into the platform. “Ang pangako natin sa gobyerno na maging kanilang katuwang sa pagprofessionalize ng habal-habal ay patuloy nating tutugunan ngayong taon sa pamamagitan ng ating mga kasalukuyang programa at iilan pa na aming pinaghahandaang ilunsad sa 2024,” Jacinto notes.

There is an obvious corollary to this, the demand for mobility increases because people in the Philippines start to complete their Christmas shopping list for their loved ones as this holiday season is the time for togetherness and gift-giving. This demand doubles according to Ronald Roda, the Chief Operating Officer of Grab Philippines.

Cognizant of this situation, Grab Philippines activated an additional 4,000 GrabCar driver-partners in a recent Grand Onboarding event to help improve service reliability amid the holiday rush.

Speaking to the media, Grab bared this development to ensure that all their clients can expect safe and reliable mobility as holiday demand emerges. This is consequent to Grab’s proactive implementation of a range of mobility solutions aimed at optimizing fleet utilization – guaranteeing that every GrabCar on the road is maximized.

Historically, Grab consistently observes a notable increase in demand for its mobility services during the holiday season. GrabCar demand is expected to increase by at least 20% in December 2023, with a spike of up to +45% in the 2nd and 3rd week The spike in demand may serve as a challenge for supply allocation, which the superapp addresses through its vehicle maximization strategy.

“The experience of our passengers, consumers, and partners on Grab is our utmost priority,” underscores Roda. He emphasizes that Grab leverages its data, platform, and technology to understand and foresee the challenges faced by stakeholders. This enables Grab to take proactive steps in developing solutions that directly address these concerns. As a dependable partner to every Filipino, Grab is determined to ensure a worry-free holiday season for all. “Every Filipino should be able to partake in the long-lasting holiday festivities with the help and support of Grab’s mobility services,” adds Roda.

Maximizing the GrabCar Fleet

In its pursuit of platform reliability, Grab has activated an array of mobility solutions that optimize the utilization of its current GrabCar fleet. This strategic approach enhances platform reliability, tackling the demand-supply imbalance. Among these solutions is GrabShare. Relaunched in Q1 of 2023, this beloved carpooling service matches passengers headed in the same direction to share a singular vehicle. If unmatched, the passenger is then instead allocated a GrabCar but with a discounted fare made possible by the GrabShare Match Guarantee offer. GrabShare is currently available in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Passengers from the airport, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers coming home to celebrate the holidays in the Philippines, can also expect a reliable GrabCar booking experience via the GrabAirport feature. In response to the shortage of safe, dependable, and transparent transportation in the airports, Grab worked with airport authorities and the LTFRB in developing GrabAirport – an on-demand ride-hailing service supported by a dedicated Grab fleet for airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

In order to cater to time-constrained passengers who require prompt allocation of vehicles, Grab is introducing Multi-Taxi Type (MTT) booking. By enabling the platform to search for vehicle allocation from a range of Grab’s mobility options such as GrabCar Four-Seater, GrabCar Six-Seater, and GrabTaxi, MTT bookings may significantly reduce allocation time by 20 to 30% as shown during the pilot runs of the feature. This enhancement ensures a more reliable and efficient booking experience for passengers, especially those who are in a hurry.

Grab works closely with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in growing the current driver pool – an integral factor in achieving equilibrium between demand and supply on the platform. This year, following the opening of new slots by LTFRB, Grab was able to grow its fleet by 40%. In time for the Christmas rush, Grab continues to onboard drivers who were able to secure a slot from the most recent pool of 10,200 TNVS franchises issued by LTFRB last August. 4,000 new driver-partners have been activated from this pool thus far. While we grow our driver pool to the pre-pandemic number, we are taking proactive steps to ensure a well-balanced platform that delivers on its promise of safety, reliability and convenience even amid seasonal changes in the market landscape,” Roda notes.

Offering an Alternative Mobility Option

Homegrown two-wheel ride-hailing company MOVE IT, with its strategic partnership with Grab, is also well-positioned to help address the demand of holiday commuters for safe, efficient, and honest transportation.

As the third player in the motorcycle taxi pilot study, MOVE IT aligns itself with the government’s prioritization of safety and fairness within the MC Taxi industry, particularly during high-traffic periods like the holiday season. MOVE IT reiterates that its fleet of well-trained professional rider-partners is capable of offering above-par MC taxi services to commuters as it maintains a 99.999% road safety record. The lag- and crash-free MOVE IT app also touts a wide roster of safety features such as Share Your Ride, 24/7 Help Centre, Emergency Response, and Voice Over IP (VOIP) calling – exceeding the industry’s tech and service standards.

“This holiday season, our commuters can rely on Tropang MOVE IT for safe, convenient, and cost-effective rides. As a strategic partner of Grab, also deep-seated in our DNA is customer-centricity, pushing us to always deliver on our promise of honest and dependable transportation for every passenger,” shares MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto.

Another strategic approach to meeting demand is ensuring riders are productive on the road. With its Back-to-Back Booking feature, the MOVE IT Driver App allows rider-partners to accept a new booking even as they accomplish an ongoing one. This technology maximizes the online hours of riders, who currently can accomplish up to four rides per hour.

Effectively catering to the increasing demand, MOVE IT continuously grows its fleet in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro while adhering to the slots allocated for each player. MOVE IT also constantly engages with its rider-partners in various knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programs on road safety and passenger handling, such as webinars and content on the MOVE IT Academy.

Grab and MOVE IT support your reliable and safe mobility this Holday Rush and beyond

Regardless of the choice of mobility, both Grab Philippines and MOVE IT MC Taxi assure everyone that they are here to provide not just a reliable mobility service, but more over a safe one for you to enjoy your much holiday celebration with your loved ones.

Dedicated to enhancing the economic well-being of local motorcycle taxi service providers, the expanded Tropang Malupet welfare program encompasses optimized earning opportunities, economic assistance, aid and relief initiatives, and community engagement. MOVE IT continues to find ways to improve the lives of its rider-partners and their loved ones, and achieve upward socio-economic mobility. With Grab’s support, MOVE IT strives towards being the safer, more reliable, and most affordable motorcycle taxi that Filipinos can always depend on.

“Ang aming mga Kuya ng Kalsada, our very own Tropang Malupet, are the driving force behind MOVE IT’s commitment to providing safe, honest, and affordable transportation to Filipino commuters. Their collective  dedication and hard work inspires us to help bring them closer to their aspirations. Sinisigurado namin na maka-bibiyahe sila nang walang kaba at pag-aalinlangan dahil sa tulong ng Grab, mas pinaganda at pinalakas natin ang ating mga rider welfare support programs para sa kanila at maging sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Through our shared commitment with Grab, we are going beyond providing livelihood opportunities for our riders – we take the extra mile to help safeguard the wellbeing, growth, success of our rider-partners and their families,” adds Jacinto.

Striving towards a Better MC Taxi For Filipinos

MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto delivers his State of the MOVE IT Address where he formally introduced the expanded Tropang Malupet program.

In his State of the MOVE IT Address, Jacinto delivered pivotal company updates, proudly highlighting the impact of the upgraded MOVE IT app to the experience of passengers and the earnings potential of rider-partners. “Salamat sa ating malupet na crash-free app, mas marami ng pasahero ang nagtitiwala sa MOVE IT. At dahil sa mas pinalupet na Driver App, meron na tayong back-to-back bookings na talaga namang na-eenjoy ng mga masisipag na kuya ng kalsada,” Jacinto touted.

The new Back-to-Back Booking feature on the MOVE IT Driver App allows rider-partners to accept a new booking even as they accomplish an ongoing one – boosting their productivity on the platform. With the BTB Booking feature, tech upgrades, and growing consumer demand, the earnings potential of MOVE IT rider-partners has doubled versus last year. Besides the tech updates, Jacinto also formally announced the expanded Tropang Malupet Program:

1. Optimizing Earnings Potential on MOVE IT

To guarantee that MOVE IT Rider-Partners are able to achieve optimum earnings on the platform, MOVE IT offers the lowest commission rate in the industry which is complemented by income-boosting initiatives. Among these is Ka-MOVE IT Rewards, an incentive scheme designed to reward rider-partners who successfully complete missions. These missions include achieving specific booking targets, maintaining high passenger ratings, and fulfilling minimum online hour requirements.

MOVE IT has also announced a new service coming to the platform –  the MOVE IT Parcel Delivery. Through this, MOVE IT rider-partners can accept parcel-delivery orders during non-peak hours for motorcycle hailing.

2. Providing Welfare Support

MOVE IT’s dedication to its rider-partners goes beyond offering livelihood opportunities. Recognizing the challenges they encounter on the road, MOVE IT has introduced the MOVE IT Malasakit Social Welfare Program. This initiative extends financial assistance to rider-partners in need of emergency top-ups or those who experience accidents while online, complementing the existing insurance coverage allocated for MOVE IT rider-partners. MOVE IT Malasakit also covers aid and relief for rider-partners during calamities and national emergencies.

Powered by leading superapp Grab, MOVE IT is now also able to extend Grab’s microfinancing programs to its rider-partners – providing an essential financial lifeline for the kuya ng kalsada. Additionally, MOVE IT rider-partners received heartening news that they are now eligible to apply for educational support through GrabScholar, a comprehensive educational support program comprising bursary support, BPO career acceleration opportunities, and even full-ride college scholarships.

MOVE IT rider-partners were also given full access to GrabAcademy, an online learning feature embedded in the driver app. GrabAcademy contains online classes on road safety, computer basics, and passenger handling.

3. Active Community Engagement

Sustaining a strong community involves engagement initiatives that nurture camaraderie. MOVE IT consistently organizes forums and town halls with its rider-partners to facilitate discussions on upcoming features and to promptly address the situations faced by the community. In addition to these activities, MOVE IT also offers supplementary programs tailored to the interests of its rider-partners.

For instance, one exciting announcement that captured the enthusiasm of thousands of rider-partners during the event is the launch of Ka-MOVE IT Liga –an inter-community Basketball League with a grand prize of Php 300,000 and various consolation prizes totaling more than Php 500,000 in value. This initiative is set to bring rider-partners together in a spirit of competition and unity.

MOVE IT’s initiative comes as a timely response to the government’s call to address safety, security, and pricing concerns surrounding habal-habal operations across the country. As the MC Taxi sector strives for utmost safety, reliability, and professionalization of unlicensed motorcycle taxis for hire, MOVE IT is proactively walking the grounds towards the professionalization of habal-habal riders.

During the pilot forum, habal-habal riders expressed the challenges they face daily – primarily related to meeting the set of requirements needed to be recognized as professional MC taxi riders. However, a consensus emerged among the attendees – their commitment to safety is the driving force behind their desire to become motorcycle taxi professionals.

MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto shares his vision, stating, “We are fostering an environment of open dialogue and collaboration with the habal-habal community to better understand their needs. By addressing the long-standing concerns that impair the sector, we can strategically work on tailored solutions and programs.”

A key commitment made by MOVE IT was to provide assistance to habal-habal riders in obtaining professional licenses – a crucial step towards their integration into the formal MC Taxi sector.

Additionally, habal-habal riders who had all the necessary requirements were invited to proceed directly to the assessment area for immediate skills evaluation and validation. Those who successfully passed the assessment are expected to be officially onboarded as MOVE IT rider-partners.

“We are committed to granting our habal-habal riders easier access to livelihood opportunities that secure their well-being and ensure the viability of their everyday income. We are optimistic that through this, we’ll create a more robust MC Taxi industry – one that upholds safety and reliability for all commuting Filipinos,” Jacinto emphasizes.

Habal-Habal Riders Aspire to be MC Taxi Professionals

Jomar, a habal-habal rider based in Cavite, eagerly awaits his formal onboarding with MOVE IT, as it signifies the start of his journey towards becoming a professional motorcycle taxi rider.

“MOVE IT is the only one who proposed formal assistance to us habal-habal riders to become professionals — for us to become legitimate motorcycle taxi riders. I don’t intend to be a habal-habal rider all my life. I want to become a professional too,” Jomar, a devoted father of four, said.

Tyrone, another habal-habal rider that MOVE IT is onboarding, echoed Jomar’s sentiment, affirming that the benefits of joining a motorcycle taxi company far outweigh the earnings that he gets from habal-habal operations.

“There is really a huge safety risk for both passengers and habal-habal riders. There are also uncertainties  when it comes to daily income because there are days that we don’t get any guarantee  that we will have any passengers at all,” explained Tyrone, who has been engaging in habal-habal as a side hustle for two years now.

In its commitment to driving financial stability for its rider partners, MOVE IT offers viable earning opportunities and attractive benefits, including low commission rates, competitive incentive schemes, comprehensive insurance packages, and exclusive deals on rider essentials. Additionally, rigorous safety and tech training sessions empower MOVE IT’s rider-partners to provide professionalized and effective motorcycle taxi services.

MOVE IT’s pioneering efforts to professionalize the habal-habal sector mark a decisive step forward for the MC Taxi and the broader transport industry, embracing the government’s vision of safe, reliable, and professionalized motorcycle taxi services. As MOVE IT’s forums and dialogues continue, the transformation of habal-habal riders into respected MC Taxi professionals will undoubtedly usher in an exciting new phase for the Philippine transportation landscape.