MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday to temporarily stop apprehending transport network vehicles (TNVS) drivers and operators currently experiencing franchise application misery.
Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago’s proposal came after she heard the complaints and concerns of TNVS drivers regarding the “inconsistent and difficult” policies of the LTFRB in terms of registration and application processes for a TNVS franchise.
TNVS drivers added that LTFRB has been apprehending drivers over their lack of franchise requirements.
“Malinaw na naging dagdag pahirap at pasakit sa TNVS communiy ang paiba-iba at pabago-bago na proseso pagdating sa registration at sa application process para sa ating mga TNVS,” Elago said in a press conference in Quezon City.
Rep. Sarah Elago. INQUIRER.net photo / Ryan Leagogo
“Kaya nananawagan tayo ng daglian na review ng lahat ng polisiya na ito. Habang nagrereview, kailangan muna may moratorium doon sa pag-aapprehend sa ating mga TNVS,” she added.
Elago also sought for a House resolution that would initiate an investigation into the policies being implemented by the LTFRB.
“Kinakailangan din po na daglian na rin mag file ng isang resolution para mapa-imbestigahan at mapanagot ang kung sino man sa LTFRB ang responsable sa lahat ng mga pahirap na polisiya pagdating sa TNVS,” she said.
The Congress’ “oversight power” should be used to see whether the Ease of Doing Business Act, which seeks to to make the process of putting up and running a business in the country easier, is being implemented, Elago added.
“Ang 17th Congress po ang nagpasa ng batas na ‘yan. Hamon sa 18th Congress na maipakita na sa pagpasa ng batas na yan ay handa talaga tayo na masuportahan ang kabuhayan ng lahat,” the lawmaker said.
“Kinakailangan may malinaw na commitment ang 18th Congress dahil po ang transportasyon ay mahalaga para sa pag-aaral, sa trabaho, sa kabuhayan kaya kinakailangan po na gawin yang prayoridad ng 18th Congress at ng Duterte administration,” Elago added.
Representatives of TNVS groups have bared the drivers’ sad experiences over the complicated procedures just to acquire their franchises.
“Sa kasalukuyan po kasi, marami na tayong narinig na apprehensions. Ang aming hinaing dito ay wala na pong iba kundi ang pagpapahirap ng iisang ahensya po, ang LTFRB,” Saturnino Mopas, president of THUGS Philippines, said in the same press conference.
“Every now and then, nagbabago po ang mga requirements sa pagpoproseso ng aming mga papeles. Sana pakinggan ng nakatakdang ahensya ang aming hinaing,” Mopas added. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
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