Reconsider July 8 TNVS Transport Holiday, LTFRB says; Calls for Dialogue on July 9

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has said that the 'transport holiday' scheduled on Monday, July 8, should be reconsidered.

LTFRB chair Atty. Martin Delgra III made the appeal to Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) operators "in the interest of the commuting public."

Various media outlets--including CARMUDI PHILIPPINES--have reported that various TNVS groups along with labor group Defend Job Philippines and commuter-interest group Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection are set to conduct a 'TNVS Transport Holiday' on July 8 by temporarily going offline from 6AM to 6PM.

"We ask TNVS operators to be more circumspect in their plan to hold a transport holiday that will affect the commuting public," Delgra said. "Instead, we urge them to bring their legitimate concerns to LTFRB, in dialogue, so that the Board can address them and not hold the riding public hostage by their planned disruptive action."

"The LTFRB welcomes constructive criticisms and feedbacks from all stakeholders," he added.

The regulator also echoed the appeal earlier issued by Grab Philippines for their driver-partners to "exercise utmost restraint before taking actions that could negatively impact the ability of passengers to book rides."

The LTFRB said that they are committed in ensuring the safety and convenience of the commuting public, thus the need for the Board to come up with regulations on the legal and proper operation of TNVS and to ensure that TNCs field compliant units.

A few hours after Delgra issued the statement, the LTFRB announced that it will be holding an open dialogue with TNVS operators on Tuesday, July 9, a day after the planned 'TNVS Transport Holiday'.

To be held at the Multi-Purpose Hall on the fourth floor of the LTFRB Central Office on East Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City, the dialogue "aims to address concerns of TNVS Operators on the process of accreditation and the necessity of such regulations and requirements by the government."

According to the agency, it hopes that the dialoue will "help enlighten both TNVS Operators, Transport Network Companies (TNCs), and all other stakeholders to understand that requirements and regulations are created and put in place for the safety of the commuting public, our most important stakeholder."

"The LTFRB is working tirelessly to uphold regulations for all PUVs in order to fulfil its mandate to ensure the safety and convenience of the commuting public and to safeguard the transportation industry by providing a level playing field for all stakeholders," the agency's statement concluded.

Furthermore, the LTFRB also announced that starting on Monday, July 8, the claiming of Provisional Authority, the stamp of Temporary Authority to Operate; and inquiries on the status of applications "will only be from Tuesdays to Fridays."

With additional reporting by Patrick Everett Tadeo