TNVS groups appeal to Duterte to ‘intervene’ on LTFRB requirement woes

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MANILA, Philippines — Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) groups have appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to “intervene” to resolve their problems in applying for certificate of public convenience (CPC) and provisional authority (PA) at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) which are needed before they can operate.

“We want President Duterte and [Transport] Secretary Tugade to intervene on behalf of the TNVS community para mapag-usapan ‘yung mga backlog, ‘yung mga requirements,” Saturnino Mopas, one of the leaders of the group, said in a press conference in Quezon City.

“Sana mabigyan ng pagkakataon na ma-simplify ‘yung proseso,” he added.

Mopas also said the groups also want a dialogue or an “audience” with  Duterte, Tugade, and LTFRB officials to personally relay to them their predicament.

“If ever na mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon, hinihiling ho sana namin mabigyan kami ni Pangulo at ni Sec. Tugade ng isang audience para maipaliwanag namin lahat,” he said.

In the letter dated June 24, the TNVS Community, an umbrella organization of drivers and operators, blamed the LTFRB for its “ever-changing” and “difficult” procedures, which causing the drivers and operators to fail in complying with the agency’s requirements.

“Papalit-palit at pahirap nang pahirap ang proseso ng pagkuha at pagrenew ng PA at CPC. Ang isyu pong ito ay taliwas sa inyong direktiba para sa “ease of doing business,” lalo na para sa maliliit na negosyanteng tulad namin,” the letter read.

The LTFRB requires applicants to secure first a PA before they can operate. However, the group pointed out that it takes three to six months to get a PA.

“Saan po kami kukuha ng pambayad kung hihintayin namin ang LTFRB na mabigyan muna kami makabiyahe?,” the letter read.

The call of the TNVS Community was issued after ride-hailing firm Grab Philippines deactivated over 5,000 “colorum” drivers this June. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Grab illegal drivers only 5,000, not 8,000