MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to consider lifting the deactivation of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) cars that failed to comply with requirements.
Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, issued the statement as TNVS drivers stage a “transport holiday” in protest of government policies hampering their operations.
READ: Brace for TNVS booking woes as drivers stage ‘transport holiday’
“This transport holiday is an opportunity for the parties to come to the table. We support the dialogue tomorrow and hope that both the LTFRB and TNVS drivers can come to terms for the good of the riding public,” Poe said in a statement on Monday.
LTFRB is set to have a dialogue with TNVS drivers and operators on Tuesday.
“While the parties are on the table, we hope that the LTFRB can consider lifting the deactivation on those who failed to comply with the requirements,” she added.
Poe, meanwhile, said LTFRB should also look into the scope and consistency of its regulations concerning TNVS instead of “just the necessity of the requirements issued.”
“While we respect the LTFRB’s mandate to regulate the industry and ensure the safety of the riding public, we also have to recognize that calls to make the process easier according to the Ease of Doing Business Act are only for the good of everyone,” she said.
“Hindi pwedeng paiba-iba ang ipinatutupad na regulasyon. Hindi ito patas sa mga mananakay at sa mga namumuhunan…We need to strike a balance on the need to regulate and the need to serve the riding public,” she added.
The senator also underscored how the ride-hailing industry helps in addressing the lack of transportation in Metro Manila.
“Bakit natin kailangang pahirapan ang lahat?” she asked.
Poe also mentioned LTFRB’s memorandum circular, which allows existing hatchbacks in the system to continue for three more years in order to recoup their investment.
“Siguro ay dapat rin nating malaman kung bakit napagdesisyunan ng LTFRB na hindi sundin ang sarili nilang Circular,” she said. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)