INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) stood by its decision to go after聽Uber and Grab operators who continue to operate without franchise despite online petitions against it.
The LTFRB clarified that it has not suspended the services of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Grab but only those with Provisional Authority (PA) or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) would be allowed to operate.
鈥淭he TNCs agreed to fully comply with the rules at the time they were granted accreditation. With their open and candid admission, it is clear that they have broken those rules grossly, putting at risk the tens of thousands of TNV鈥檚 without PA or franchise to commit colorum activities,鈥� LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said in a statement聽on Tuesday聽.
The LTFRB earlier slapped a P5 million fine each for Uber and Grab for allowing some of their drivers to operate without permits and ordered the suspension of more than 50,000 鈥榗olorum鈥� drivers.
More than 20 Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), the agency said, have so far been apprehended for operating without a franchise.
搁贰础顿:听Ejercito hits LTFRB for stopping Grab, Uber 鈥榯hat provide better services鈥�
鈥淲e cannot have one rule regarding colorum for them and another rule for the rest of the modes of public transport, i.e. bus, UV express, taxi and PUJ. Where service is imbued with public interest, no less than the safety and welfare of the riding public is concerned, regulations become priority,鈥� Delgra said.
He said the TNCs should also show 鈥済ood faith鈥� first by following the orders while the LTRFB creates a Technical Working Group (TWG) to discuss issues such as accreditation and pending applications, and 鈥渢he core issues of accountability and dynamic pricing scheme as a way to move things forward.鈥�
鈥淩ight now, they are not cooperating,鈥� the official said.
While the TWG would help address the demand for such mode of public transport in a 鈥渞ational, comprehensive and systematic manner,鈥� Delgra said they expect the TNCs to be 鈥渃andid, accurate, complete and transparent in submitting all the data and information the Board will need in addressing the issues.鈥�
A petition led by TNC driver Bobby Coronel on the website聽, called on the LTFRB to 鈥榣ift the suspension鈥� on colorum drivers, citing the growing demand for TNCs services.
鈥淭he demand for ride hailing services continues to grow鈥�.We cannot imagine a Philippines without ride-hailing services, can you?鈥� Coronel said.聽Celine Amilhamja, 好色先生TV trainee/JE/rga