LTFRB Eases Process for TNVS Application

The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it streamlined the process of securing franchises for transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

During a dialogue with TNVS groups and stakeholders in Quezon City, LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano said some changes have been made to the current process of securing franchises known as provisional authority (PA) and certificate of public convenience (CPC) for TNVS drivers and operators.

Beginning the third week of July, the LTFRB will add more hearing dates to address the huge volume 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.

The move would lessen the processing time to secure papers and at the same time allow the regulator to process more applications, he added.

It will also allot two Saturdays every month for follow-ups on applications for all types of transport services.

Upon the acceptance of a valid and complete TNVS application, the LTFRB will automatically give a PA to operate for 90 days if the applicant has a previous application and if they provide passenger insurance and proof of garage.

Bolano added that to get a PA, new applicants will also need to secure a bank certificate of conformity which is necessary for public transport as the usage of private vehicles for public service is in violation of bank rules.

The streamlining came after drivers affected by the deactivation from the system of ride-hailing app Grab for failure to secure proper permits to operate in the ride-hailing industry sought for the LTFRB to reduce the process of franchise application.

In the same dialogue, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said the agency was doing its best to address the concerns of TNVS groups.

“On behalf of the board, humihingi ako ng paumanhin (I ask for forgiveness). And that’s precisely why we are addressing it. We’re trying to find ways to address this,” Delgra said.

On Saturday, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) stepped in and arranged dialogues between leaders of the TNVS community, the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after complaints of red-tape were filed against the LTFRB by TNVS drivers and operators.

The LTFRB did not participate in the first two dialogues but arranged a third dialogue after a transport holiday by the TNVS community last Monday.

Lawyer Ariel Inton, president of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, expressed satisfaction with some of the changes that the regulator presented to them.

“Yung sa proseso, ito ay magiging mas madali. At yung mga requirements ay mabawasan. In fairness to the board, madami sila pinakita na pagbabago na gagawin nila sa proseso,” Inton said.

Janina Pineda, president of the TNVS group Road Grabbers, said even though the dialogue took about six hours with no breaks, the opportunity given to members of their community to air their grievances was worth it but its results are yet to be seen.

“Lahat ng operator nagkaroon ng chance na mag-speak up regarding their concern (All operators got a chance to speak up regarding their concern). Most concerns are ongoing for a board of directors meeting so we’ll wait within this week for updates,” Pineda said.

But Jun de Leon, leader of the Metro Manila Hatchback Community and Laban TNVS, expressed his dissatisfaction after the regulator stood their ground on prohibiting hatchback operators and drivers from becoming licensed TNVS.

“Hindi naman dialogue yung nangyari dito, ‘yung gusto pa rin nila ang nasunod. For review, eh hanggang kelan ‘yung for review? Samantalang kabuhayan ng pamilya yung inaalala natin dito kaya gusto natin ng agarang solusyon (This was not a dialogue. What was followed was only what the LTFRB wanted. But livelihood of families are at stake and that’s why we want a quick solution),” de Leon said.

Also present during the meeting were DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark De Leon, ARTA Deputy Director General Ernesto Perez, and other officials from the LTFRB. (PNA)