LTFRB to meet with 'Uber' transport firms

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be holding a public consultation and workshop with various transport network companies (TNCs) and taxi operators this week to discuss guidelines and policies in regulating transport network and vehicle services. 

 

The workshop with TNC representatives  is scheduled today, Tuesday, around  2 p.m. 

 

On Wednesday, the Board will hold a public consultation with taxi operators, also at 2p.m.

 

Both consultations will be held in the Board’s main office in Quezon City.

 

"Nais po naming marinig ang panig ng iba’t ibang sector ng transportasyon at ng publiko bago po kami magpatupad ng regulasyon na magbibigay ng permiso at accreditation sa mga transport network companies na mag-operate ng transportation network vehicle service," LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

 

Ginez said the Board is holding the workshop in response to the increasing preference and clamor of the riding public to allow private transport operators offer online-enabled services.

 

Late last year, a series of crack down on these operators resulted in the apprehension of several private car owners operating without a permit or franchise from the Board.

 

"The Board is open to embracing new technology that can improve public land transportation and promote safety of the public, but we also have an obligation to exercise our duty to regulate public network services," Ginez said. 

 

"Bottomline is we want to ensure the public's safety and convenience by issuing CPCs (certificate of public convenience) only to qualified TNCs who will meet the requirements that the Board will set based on the result of this workshop," he added.