LTFRB probes 21 ride-hailing firms over 'bloated' fuel subsidy list

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday issued show cause orders to 21 transport network companies (TNCs) over alleged discrepancies in the number of fuel subsidy beneficiaries.

In a statement, LTFRB chairperson Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the move aims to determine the circumstances behind the mismatch in the reported number of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) beneficiaries.

“We want to ferret out the truth in relation to this incident. Is there a deliberate attempt to increase the number of beneficiaries on their part, or is this a case of negligence and incompetence in complying with the LTFRB order?” Mendoza said.

“These are just some of the questions that we want clarified as we dig deeper into this discrepancy,” he added.

The order came after LTFRB and other government personnel conducted a verification process and flagged inconsistencies in the reported number of subsidy recipients in the ride-hailing sector.

Under the show-cause orders, the TNCs were directed to explain in writing why their authority to operate should not be suspended or revoked.

The LTFRB cited possible violations, including the onboarding of vehicles without proper authorization and failure to maintain active units on their platforms.

The concerned companies were also instructed to submit a list of drivers previously provided to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with corresponding vehicle plate numbers.

A hearing has been set on May 14, with company executives or authorized representatives required to attend, the LTFRB said.—MCG, GMA News