TNVS Community seeks Duterte’s help in amnesty for deactivated accounts

TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Services) Community Philippines, an umbrella group of transport network vehicle services providers, is seeking an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte to appeal for amnesty of some 5,000 deactivated accounts.

In a press conference in Quezon City, the TNVS Community Philippines said it sent out letters to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on June 24, and to Malacañang on June 25 regarding the plight of their fellow members.

“Hinihingi po namin ay amnestiya para sa mga nadeactivate na TNVS, at higit sa lahat uniporme at mas maayos na proseso ng pagrerenew ng PA (provisional authority) at CPC (certificate of public convenience) nang walang diskriminasyon laban sa TNVS,” the letter read.

Transport network company (TNC) Grab Philippines deactivated 5,000 of TNVS providers on June 10 for failing to submit proof of their PA and CPC from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Earlier estimates pegged at 8,000 TNVS accounts up for deactivation, but 3,000 of them were able to process the necessary papers and continue to operate.

On June 10, the LTFRB also opened to all TNCs an additional 10,000 TNVS slots, to keep up with the growing demand from consumers of ride-hailing services.

Aside from Grab, other accredited TNCs are Aztech Solution International Corp. (SnappyCab), E-Pick Me Up Inc., GoLag Inc., Hirna Mobility Solutions Inc., Hype Transport Systems Inc., Ipara Technologies and Solutions Inc., Micab Systems Corp., and RYD Global Inc.

TNVS Community Philippines said it wants amnesty for the 5,000 deactivated TNVS, noting it is getting hard for them to process the necessary papers after the LTFRB has expanded the requirements.

“Gustuhin man po namin na ayusin ang aming mga papeles para makapaghanapbuhay ng walang pangamba, ginigipit kami ng LTFRB at sadyang pinahihirapan na makakuha ng PA at CPC,” the group claimed in their letter.

Sought for more details, Transport Community Philippines Leader and Road Grabbers Group president Janina Pineda said that previously,

It used to be that securing both the PA and CPC only took a day to process, but since the LTFRB is now asking for more requirements that the process now takes a week to complete.

“Hanggang ngayon sila ay nahihirapan. Gusto nila kumuha ng legal na dokumento ... Ngayon ay nanghuhuli na po sila (LTFRB) ng mga walang PA, bagkus sila mismo ang may kakulangan sa proseso nila. Kanino po ba nagkulang? Sila o kami?” she said.

The letter was also signed by leaders of 16 other TNVS groups, including Kamuning D'Barkads, MBTop, PMTG, PNC4, OTNS, RED, TAP, TCLC, Thugs Club, TNVEast, TNVS Bacolod Chapter, TNVS Cebu Chapter, TNVS Pampanga Chapter, TNVR, UGB, and UGP.

Three days after the letter was sent, TNVS Community Philippines said it has yet to receive any response from both the DOTr and Malacañang.

“Tatlong linggo na ho silang hindi kinikita simula nang madeactivate sila. Hanggang nayon wala pa po akong nakukuhang response. Kahapon tumawag ako sa Malacañang, wala pa raw pong response sa hinihingi naming forum ito,” Pineda said.

“Magpapatuloy pa rin po kami sa aming adhikain—follow up letter at mga prayers po,” Pineda said when asked what their plans are while their appeal remains pending with the government. —VDS, GMA News