Grab to partner-drivers: Stay calm amid LTFRB’s cap on TNVS units

App-based ride-hailing service Grab Philippines asked its partner-drivers to be calm as it assured them the transport network company will continue its dialogue with regulators after the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board set a limit on the number of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) nationwide.

"Sa ngayon, nakiki-usap ako sa lahat na maging kalmado. Habaan natin ang ating pasensya, at maging focused sa trabaho sa pagbibigay ng magandang serbisyo sa ating mga pasahero," Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu said in a post on his Facebook page.

"Asahan ninyo kami sa Grab na magiging boses n'yo para iparating sa ating regulators ang inyong mga saloobin. Sama-sama nating haharapin ang sitwasyon na ito," Cu said.

The Grab chief made the statement after the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2018-03 on Thursday, setting a common supply base for TNVS at 45,700 units in major cities in the country. 

"Sa paglabas ng bagong LTFRB memorandum na nagtatalaga ng cap sa bilang ng TNVS sa mga pangunahing lungsod sa bansa, alam kong marami sa atin ang nagtatanong kung ano na ang mangyayari sa ating industriya at mga hanapbuhay," Cu said.

He added that Grab will submit to LTFRB its latest data on the demand and supply for TNVS.

"Ang impormasyong ibabahagi natin sa LTFRB ay magpapatunay na hindi sapat ang ating supply kung ikukumpara ito sa patuloy na lumalaking demand ng ating mga pasahero na nagnanais ng safe, reliable, and convenient mode of transportation," Cu said.

"Gagawin natin ang ating makakaya para hikayatin ang ating mga regulators na balikan at pag-aralan muli ang kanilang desisyon na nakapaloob sa kalalabas lang na LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2018-003," he added.

The Grab chief also said that those who have a valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience and those with pending applications are included in the LTFRB's cap.

LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said the common supply base is subject for review every three months and may still be changed or replenished.

Cu also answered several questions its drivers may raise regarding the LTFRB's circular.

"Ayon sa MC, ang mga tatanggapin lang na sasakyan ay 'vehicles not more than 3 years old from date of manufacture'," Cu said.

"Ang mga sasakyan naman na may CPC na ay maaaring mag operate hanggang 7 years from date of manufacture. Ang mga papasa naman sa Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) ay maaaring maging exempted sa sa maximum age limit," he said.

"Sa mga TNVS sa Metro Manila, magpasa ng application sa LTFRB Central Office. Ang mga intra-regional applications naman ay pwedeng ipasa sa kanya-kanyang RFRO," he added.

Uber Philippines, meanwhile, deferred to give comment on the matter as the company still needs to study the latest circular from the LTFRB.

"Will defer from comment at this. We still need to study the impact to our operations," Uber Philippines communications head Cat Avelino said in a text message. —LBG, GMA News