MANILA, Philippines — Drivers and operators under the transport network vehicles service (TNVS) are set to hold a caravan-protest at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday.
Their planned demonstration is aimed at registering their objection to the deactivation of 8,000 TNVS accounts for ride-hailing firm Grab Philippines.
“Hindi po kasi naririnig ‘yung pahayag na kung ano bang mangyayari sa mga partner-drivers at operators natin at saka syempre sa mga pamilya din namin,” Leonardo de Leon, chairman of TNVS group Hatchback Community, said in a press conference in Quezon City on Monday.
“Kaya bukas (Tuesday) po magkakaroon po ng caravan-protest ang 8,000 TNVS operators at drivers na made-deactivate upang ipaglaban ung pamilya, kabuhayan ng bawat isa,” he added.
According to De Leon, their protest will start from the Quezon City Memorial Circle around 5 a.m. and move towards LTFRB’s main office on East Avenue also in Quezon City. He said he expects all of the affected 8,000 drivers to attend the protest.
The demonstration will coincide with Grab’s appearance at LTFRB after it was issued a show cause order to explain the deactivation of 8,000 accounts.
READ: Show cause order issued vs Grab on deactivation of 8,000 driver accounts
Grab earlier announced it will deactivate on Monday at least 8,000 TNVS partners that have not yet submitted proof that they were granted provisional authority by LTFRB.
READ: Grab PH to deactivate 8,000 driver accounts on June 10
De Leon appealed to LTFRB to allow them extension for their TNVS applications.
“For deactivation ng 8,000, humihingi kami ng amnesty na lahat na 8,000 na drivers na ide-deactivate ay pagbigyan nila na magkaroon ng oras para mag-apply para maging legal ‘yung negosyo nila,” he said.
“Isang taon ‘yung proseso (ng application) talagang pabalik-balik, pati ‘yung pag-release ng mga dokumento, pabalik-balik, halos isang taon,” De Leon pointed out.
Last December, LTFRB opened 20,000 slots for drivers and those who applied were given until June 7 to complete their application documents.
READ: LTFRB opens 20,000 new TNVS slots
(Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)