Maxim riders stage protest vs LTO-7

CEBU CITY — Riders of the motor taxi ride-hailing app Maxim staged a protest here on Friday to decry what they described as abusive apprehensions by the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7).

Around 100 Maxim riders, joined by jeepney drivers, transport workers and supporters first assembled outside Maxim’s office near the North Bus Terminal before moving in a caravan to the LTO-7 compound beside the South Bus Terminal.

A short program was held outside the compound while representatives entered to request dialogue with officials.

The protest came after LTO operations reportedly apprehended at least 10 Maxim riders over the past week for allegedly operating without a valid franchise.

The riders said their licenses were confiscated and motorcycles impounded. Violation tickets were also issued.

They questioned why LTO-7 is barring them from operating while their counterparts in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog are allowed to operate.

They also pointed out that Maxim’s national headquarters is in Cebu City, yet its riders in the area face restrictions.

One of the riders, 60-year-old Magno Delicano, expressed frustration over what he called the “selective” apprehensions by LTO-7.

His motorcycle had been impounded for allegedly transporting passengers without a permit.

“Nganong kaming gagmay nga nangita lang og tarong, barya-barya, kami maoy gipiit! Asa ang hustisya diha? (Why is it that we small earners, just trying to make an honest living with a few coins, are the ones being squeezed? Where is the justice in that?),” he said.

Delicano also questioned the lack of accountability among high-ranking officials, citing alleged misuse of public funds amounting to trillions of pesos.

He urged LTO-7 to open talks with Maxim to clarify regulations and find fair solutions, instead of penalizing the riders.

Organizers capped the protest by launching a petition demanding the release of impounded motorcycles, the return of licenses and the suspension of apprehensions.

Greg Perez, president of Piston Cebu Chapter, supported their call, saying riders have the right to serve the public amid a transport shortage.

He added that many jeepney drivers have already lost their franchises due to government pressure and the modernization program, while small livelihoods now face harassment through heavy fines.

Perez further claimed government revenues from such fines were funneled to public projects that often failed to materialize.

The Manila Times sought comment from LTO-7 but received no response as of press time.