DAVAO CITY — A historic shift in Davao City’s transportation landscape unfolded on the evening of April 23, 2026, as RideIT—the city’s first hyperlocal ride-hailing app—officially launched at SM City Davao. The event marked more than just the debut of another mobility platform: it signaled the arrival of a homegrown challenger built by Dabawenyos, for Dabawenyos, at a time when the national government has closed the door to new Transport Network Corporation (TNC) accreditations. With a ₱20 booking fee and ambitions to eventually offer motorcycle taxi services, RideIT enters a competitive field as the final accredited player—a distinction regulators call "the last of the Mohicans".
A Hyperlocal Alternative to Foreign-Owned Giants
At the heart of RideIT’s appeal is its distinctly local identity. Founder Caesar Kevin Joven, a Davao-based entrepreneur, introduced the platform as the first truly hyperlocal ride-hailing app in the Philippines—one designed to adhere closely to local governance, transport regulations, and road realities. “RideIt is very centric when it comes to local governance. We are really adhering to local governance, especially with the mandates of LTFRB and LTO. So, we are proudly Davao,” Joven said during the launch.
The timing of the launch added to its significance. Smack in the middle of the Araw ng Dabaw season, the event felt less like a product introduction and more like a civic celebration of homegrown innovation. The app currently offers four core services: RideIT Mototaxi, RideIT Taxi, RideIT Car, and RideIT Parcel—a delivery feature requiring recipient signatures for added security. Joven framed the platform as a direct response to real urban problems—long waits, inconsistent fares, limited options, and the absence of local control over mobility solutions. “RideIt isn’t just an app, it’s a movement born in Davao City, built for Dabawenyos and designed to transform everyday transportation into something smarter, safer, and more empowering,” he told attendees.
‘The Last Will Be the First’: Regulatory Milestone and Closure
What sets RideIT apart from any other new ride-hailing entrant is its unique regulatory status. LTFRB XI Regional Director Nonito Llanos III, who spoke at the launch, revealed that RideIT is the final TNC to receive accreditation from the national board. After its approval in the first week of February 2026, the LTFRB formally closed the door to further TNC accreditations nationwide. “So that is why the last of the Mohicans is RideIt. Now, talking about the first, the last becoming the first, I am truly proud that RideIt is the first locally made Transport Network Corporation in Davao City. It’s the first and the only TNC based in Davao City,” Llanos declared.
The accreditation was granted under LTFRB Board Resolution No. 005, Series of 2026, signed by Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, after determining that HAVE IT Software Company—the firm behind RideIT—was “qualified, financially capable, and compliant” with all requirements. Llanos also clarified that RideIT’s drivers and operators are fully legal and regulated, directly addressing concerns from some taxi drivers who initially viewed the new platform as "colorum." “They are no longer colorum. They have been given accreditation by the LTFRB, so they will now operate as a regular transport corporation. They are legal,” Llanos assured the public.
Government Support and a Challenge to the Founder
The launch drew strong backing from local transport authorities. LTO XI Director Atty. Ernesto Raphael Robillo threw his full support behind the venture, praising the fact that the app was developed locally yet has the potential to go national. “This is a homegrown app, and we support it fully because it is rare to see a ride app start here in our city,” Robillo said. “Having received accreditation from the LTFRB national office, it can now operate nationwide. It brings great pride to Davaoeños”.
Llanos did not merely offer praise; he issued a public challenge to Joven, urging him to remain committed to public service-driven transport innovation. “Kevin, I admonish you, I challenge you to continue your commitment that you have mentioned to me when we first met. That wala kay laing tuyo is just to provide a very good public transport system which is safe, reliable for the people of Davao and for the Filipino people as a whole,” Llanos said.
The Road Ahead: Motorcycle Taxis and Nationwide Ambitions
While RideIT currently operates taxis and private car hailing, its long-term roadmap includes a potentially game-changing addition: motorcycle taxis. Llanos confirmed that the LTFRB is finalizing a memorandum circular regarding motorcycle taxi regulations, with studies already completed in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. Once the guidelines are released, RideIT will be able to compete in the mototaxi sector alongside established players like Angkas and Move It. “Eventually, when it will come out, Kevin can operate his MC taxi already in Davao and in the entire country. Take note of that, a Dabawenyo operating its transport network corporation in the entire country,” Llanos emphasized.
Beyond offering competitive services, Joven hinted at leveraging local road data to potentially lower fares. “What we are trying to do is to study our roads, local roads here in Davao City, to make the mapping more efficient and fares more affordable. So mas mubarato ang pamasahe,” he said.
