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MANILA - Indonesian ride-sharing firm Go-Jek has signified its intention to enter the Philippines, joining other companies seeking to challenge dominant player Grab, a transport regulator said Tuesday.

Go-Jek has also posted openings for software engineering staff on the Philippine-based recruitment portal Kalibrr.

Grab has dodged complaints of high fares and choosy drivers since it took over erstwhile rival Uber's Southeast Asian operations last month. Several Filipino ride-sharing companies have sought accreditation from the government.

• Grab: 600,000 bookings per day, but only 35,000 drivers

The entry of foreign players will be studied closely since these could displace local firms, said Aileen Lizada, a member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

"What will happen to our local companies? We need to protect our local companies as we engage itong mga TNCs," she told DZMM.

Transport Network Companies or TNCs operate the app-based platforms that connect drivers and passengers.

Competition is good but opening too many TNCs to service 65,000 drivers could mean "spreading ourselves too thinly," she said.

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