TNVS drivers lose up to P700 daily due to surging fuel prices — group

Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers are losing P500 to P700 a day due to the hefty fuel price hikes amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a transport group said Tuesday.

"Umaabot na po sa P500 to P700 ang nawawala araw-araw dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng gasolina at diesel dito sa ating bansa," Laban TNVS president Jun de Leon said in a "Balitanghali" interview.

(Because of the continuous increase in petroleum products, we lose about P500 to P700 of our income a day.)

Although the financial assistance distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is helpful, De Leon said P5,000 is still insufficient for daily expenses.

"Bagama't kulang ito, pero tatanggapin po natin 'yan para kahit papaano, may pandagdag gastos po ang ating pamilya," he said.

(Although it's not enough, we will accept it so that, at least in some way, it can help cover our family's expenses.)

The DSWD began distributing cash aid on Tuesday, with about 27,000 TNVS drivers in the National Capital Region set to receive the P5,000 assistance.

However, some TNVS drivers bemoaned that they are not on the list. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian urged them to coordinate directly with their companies instead of going to payout centers.

In response, De Leon said they would do so and urged TNVS drivers to come to their office in Quezon City for assistance.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said the list is based on data submitted by transport network companies, including Grab, Utol, Toktok, Pure Ride, Maxim, Joyride, InDrive, Hirna, Go Cab, Angcars, Unlala, Hail, PeekUp, and Para Express.

De Leon also said some TNVS drivers are quitting because they take home only P300 after working 18 hours a day.

He said he is also seeking to set the commission rate of transport network companies at 10%, as some are currently asking as high as 30%.

"Para naman kahit papano kahit walang dagdag pamasahe eh kumita nang maayos ang ating mga samahan ng mga TNVS driver," he said.

(This is to ensure that, even without additional fares, TNVS drivers can still make a decent living.)

— VDV, GMA Integrated News