LTFRB Now Makes It Easier to Process TNVS Applications

Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) operators have something to rejoice about, despite still not seeing eye to eye with the government, as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has now made the process of securing a franchise easier than before.

According to LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano, they have made changes in the process of securing franchises, particularly the acquisition of the Provisional Authority (PA) and Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). The agency's aim is to lessen the processing time to secure the papers while at the same time allow more applications to be processed.

One significant change the agency made is to add more hearing dates to tackle the huge number of TNVS applications.

"'Yung isang araw, dalawang araw namin na hearing for TNVS, gagawin na po namin na three to four days. Siguraduhin lang po natin na complete requirements na po tayo (The usual one, two days hearing for TNVS will be extended to three to four days. Just make sure that the requirements are complete)," Bolano told operators during the dialogue.

LTFRB will also add in two Saturdays each month for all types of transport services to follow-up on their applications.

Against Red Tape

Meanwhile, the Anti-Red Tape Authority paved the way for leaders of the TNVS community, the LTFRB, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to create a series of dialogues to discuss the TNVS' complaints of red tape against the LTFRB.

According to Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection President Atty. Ariel Inton, he was satisfied with some of the changes that were presented to them.

"'Yung sa proseso, ito ay magiging mas madali. At yung mga requirements ay mabawasan. (The process will be easier. And the requirements will be lessened) In fairness to the board, madami sila pinakita na pagbabago na gagawin nila sa proseso (they showed a lot of changes will be made with the processing)," Inton said.