Business group backs Grab, Uber

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) expressed its support on the controversial Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) provided that drivers should secure necessary permits.

In a July 20 letter to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, CCCI President Melanie Ng said the officers and Board of Trustees of the chamber support the mayor’s goal of providing more business opportunities to the people of the city where one of these is the operation of the TNVS, particularly the services of Grab and Uber.

“In line with our thrust of bringing Cebu business to the next level, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirms our full support to the growing small and medium enterprises here in Cebu,” Ng said in the letter.

In the letter, Ng said the chamber support the TNVS in their quest to provide services to the thousands of commuters in the city, saying that it will boost the local economy.

“However, we do not support the unauthorized colorum drivers who may ply the streets who do not have the necessary requirements to be part of the TNVS system or the entities who may have violated franchise agreements or have not complied with the requirements of the Land Transportation and traffic laws of the Philippines,” read the letter.

Osmeña said he asked for the stand of CCCI since Grab and Uber are small businesses for the drivers.

“I’ll send this (letter of CCCI) to Uber and Grab so that they can use this to their propaganda,” the mayor said.

While saying that it is not intentional on the part of the government, Osmeña said the government sometimes shows “insensitivity” to small businesses.

He said the government should adopt innovation as it would be responsive to the needs of the citizens, adding that many people find convenience in using Grab and Uber compared to taxis.

Drivers of Grab and Uber are not just working to earn for a living but also providing another option for the transportation of the public, the mayor said.

With this, he said companies of taxi cabs should also organize themselves like Grab and Uber and try to provide better services to the public. (FREEMAN)