LTFRB-7 chief backs House move on TNC issue

CUIZON

DIRECTOR Ahmed Cuizon of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) is supporting Congress’ plan to investigate the LTFRB accreditation issued to transport network companies (TNCs) like Uber, Grab and U-Hop.

Cuizon said he welcomed House Resolution No. 573, a resolution introduced by Representatives Jose Panganiban and Napoleon Dy, directing the House committees on Transportation and Legislative Franchises to investigate the TNCs.

Lawyer Ariel Inton, former LTFRB member and now founder of Lawyers for Commuters’ Safety and Protection, also supported the move.

“We encourage Congress to not just investigate but to make guidelines and policies for transport network vehicle services (TNVS),” Inton said.

“It is our hope that the TNVS will be properly regulated. It is also our group’s concern that Congress act swiftly to address the problem of colorum vehicles by resolving their pending motions for extending their provisional authorities while the suspension of franchise application for app-based vehicles is still in effect,” Inton added.

In September, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra announced the suspension of TNVS applications pending review.

Last May 28, the LTFRB issued the rules governing the accreditation of TNCs and the issuance of certificate of public convenience to TNVs. In Cebu, only probational authorities (PAs) were issued by LTFRB-7 to around 100 Uber units.

With the suspension of the TNVS, 600 applications for Uber and two applications for Grabcar remained pending at LTFRB-7 office.

“This means that these units (Grabcar and Uber) plying out the streets are colorum,” Cuizon said.

Since the suspension of TNVS application, the LTFRB-7 seize two Grabcar units and one Uber unit.