ARTA orders LTFRB to ‘automatically’ approve complete TNVS applications

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Tuesday ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory to approve all pending Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) applications with complete documentary requirements.

All pending TNVS applications before the LTFRB, “automatically approved,” according to an order signed by ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica.

The order covers all pending application that have been paid and heard by the board from July 7, 2018 to July 24, 2019—when Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act took effect.

The order was recommended by ARTA Deputy Director General Ernesto Perez.

All pending applications 20 days after RA 11032 took effect and 20 days before the order has been issued are all deemed approved.

“In view thereof, LTFRB is hereby ordered to issue corresponding CPCs (Certificates of Public Convenience), or other appropriate licenses or certifications for all these TNVS applications,” ARTA emphasized.

The order was prompted by various complaints received by ARTA on the numerous applications with complete requirements but remain pending before the LTFRB and waiting for CPCs.

GMA News Online has contacted LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra for a statement, but no response yet has been received as of this posting.

“LTFRB is further directed to furnish the Authority with a list of all pending TNVS applications that have submitted complete documentary requirements from July 7, 2018 to July 24, 2019, but whose CPCs are yet to be issued, within three days from receipt of this Order,” ARTA noted.

The LTFRB is also ordered to review and revise its Citizen’s Charter.

The Citizen Charter must be “reengineered” taking into consideration the ARTA’s policy recommendations and must include the documentary requirements and processing time specific to TNVS applications, according to ARTA.

“The revised Citizen’s Charter must likewise indicate which transactions are considered simple, complex, and highly technical in accordance with RA 11032.”

The LTFRB must submit a revised Citizen’s Charter to the ARTA within 20 days after receiving the order. —VDS, GMA News