Uber exec hits ‘outdated’ rules but LTFRB not stopping drive

MANILA, Philippines—The recent apprehension of a private driver hired through the mobile app Uber in Quezon City signaled the latest battle to erupt between the company behind the technology and government-regulated taxicab associations around the world.

But the regional head of Uber Technologies, reacting to the actions taken by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), declared that it was determined to challenge “outdated regulations” and innovate a “sector characterized by stagnation.”

“We are disappointed that the government has taken action against a technology service that is better for riders, drivers and the community,” Mike Brown, the start-up’s general manager for Southeast Asia and Australia, said in a statement Friday.

Brown said Uber is operating in 222 cities in 45 countries “and in many of those cities, we are challenging outdated (premobile era) regulations that are unable to keep up with technological advancement.”

“Uber is committed to put the interest of consumers and their communities as priority by bringing something fresh and new to a sector that is characterized by stagnation,” Brown added. “Safe, reliable and convenient transportation options—something that Filipinos have been demanding for a long time now.”

The LTFRB on Thursday said it conducted an entrapment operation the day before in which an Uber-affiliated driver was slapped a P200,000 fine, his license confiscated and his vehicle impounded. The move was spurred by a complaint from the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, which said Uber vehicles should be considered colorum for operating like taxicabs without the proper franchise.

In a radio interview Friday, LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said the drive against unauthorized Uber vehicles would continue even as he called on the tech company to use duly licensed vehicles instead.

“The government would not have any way of protecting the individuals who use private vehicles because those are not covered by the LTFRB,” Ginez said.

But he said the LTFRB was open to a dialogue with Uber on how its operation could continue without violating the Public Service Law.

“We’re not against new technology. There are applications like GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi which use taxis with franchise,” Ginez told Radyo Inquirer.

“We are looking at safety because public utility vehicles have records with the LTFRB and they have insurance.”

“Uber is not prohibited, it just needs to operate within the bounds of the law,” he added.