New TNCs not yet accredited, LTFRB clarifies

No new transport network company (TNC) has been given the go-signal to operate in the country, a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) official clarified on Monday.

LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada issued the statement after a news report quoted Transportation Assistant Secretary for Commuter Affairs Elvira Medina saying that four TNCs would come in “immediately.”

“That is not true. We have not approved, we have not accredited any TNC,” Lizada told reporters via Viber.

READ: 3 new TNCs accredited by June, says LTFRB

Lizada also clarified that three TNCs—Hype, Owto and Lag Go—were still in the process of complying with the requirements set by the LTFRB before they could be accredited to operate.

The fourth TNC, known as Pira, has yet to start complying with the requirements to operate as a TNC, the LTFRB board member said.

“Regarding the three possible new TNC players, sila po ay nagco-comply pa ng mga requirements (they’re still complying with the requirements). ‘Yung isa po na kinausap namin nung Friday (One more that we had talks with on Friday), Pira, they are still about to start compliance,” Lizada said.

“Wala pa po kaming inaaccredit na bagong TNC (We haven’t accredited any new TNC). We are waiting for the compliance of the three TNCs,” she stressed, adding that the LTFRB and Transportation Usec. Tim Orbos were the only persons “authorized” to talk on TNC matters. /je