In line with the instruction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. to look after the welfare of all those in the public transportation sector, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the guidance Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Z. “Banoy” Lopez, issued a show cause order (SCO) on at least 19 platform providers of ride-hailing services for not properly implementing the recently approved fare increase.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg G. Pua, Jr. said they immediately summoned the 19 Transport Network Companies (TNCs) after monitoring the complaints of the ride-hailing drivers over the effects of the non-implementation of the fare increase for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).
On Sept. 28, the LTFRB implemented the fare increase for public utility vehicles. The fare hike includes the TNVS which made the base fare for TNVS sedan P65 from P45; P75 from P55 for AUVs; P55 from P35 for hatchback and P165 from P145 for premium TNVS.
But the TNCs reportedly did not implement the fare hike and opted to stick to the old fare system.
“Maaring magtaka ang ating mga kababayan na bakit kailangan pa nating ipatawag ang mga TNCs na ito at hindi na lang ipagpasalamat natin na hindi nagtaaas ng pamasahe ang TNVS,” said Acting Chairman Pua.
“Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang TNVS partner po ang gumagastos sa gasolina at diesel, at hindi ang mga TNCs. Kaya kapag hindi na-implement ang fare increase para sa kanila, sila po ang maaapektuhan at hindi ang mga TNCs,” he explained.
The non-implementation of the fare increase, according to Acting Chairman Pua, defeats the intent of the approval of the fare increase—which is to assist all those in the public transport sector, including those in the TNVS.
In the SCO signed by Atty. Ralph Aldrin Baguio, Officer-In-Charge of the LTFRB Legal Division, the agency asked the TNCs to explain in writing why their authority to operate should not be suspended or cancelled for defying the LTFRB order.
“The Respondent-TNCs are hereby directed to SHOW CAUSE in writing within three (3) working days from receipt hereof why their respective TNC Accreditations should not be SUSPENDED or CANCELLED for the alleged failure to adjust and implement the approved fare rates for TNVS,” the order read.
It explained that the defiance resulted in the continued charging of fares inconsistent with the fare adjustment authorized by the LTFRB, in violation of applicable LTFRB rules and regulations.
The hearing was set on October 7.
“Failure on the part of the respondent to appear before the Hearing Officer and file an Answer, shall be considered as a waiver on its part to be heard and shall cause the imposition of a penalty,” the LTFRB Order read. #
