Speed up approval of TNVS franchise applications

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately release certificates of public convenience (CPC) to qualified ride-hailing driver-applicants.

In a statement, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade directed Undersecretary for Roads Mark de Leon and the LTFRB to comply immediately with the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (Arta) order on Tuesday to automatically approve all pending transport network vehicle services (TNVS) franchise applications, and issue them the corresponding CPCs.

Tugade’s order covers applications with complete documents that have already been paid for and “duly heard” by the LTFRB from July 7, 2018 to July 24 this year.

Clarification needed

The last qualification, however, has yet to be clarified by both Arta and LTFRB as often, TNVS drivers who may have complied with the documentary requirements have yet to be given a hearing date.

As of this writing, the LTFRB has yet to determine how many applications will be covered by Tugade’s order.

Based on the recommendation of Arta Deputy Director General Ernesto Perez, Tugade’s order resolves a pending complaint from TNVS drivers about alleged irregularities surrounding the LTFRB’s processing of franchise applications.

The LTFRB was also ordered to give the antired tape body a list of pending applications whose CPCs have yet to be issued.