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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has identified a large number of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers and motorcycle taxi riders operating without proper authorization, including those classified as “colorum,” during the distribution of government cash aid for transport workers.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the discrepancy surfaced after comparing official franchise limits with aid applicants.
He said only about 54,000 TNVS units are authorized based on government records, but applicants for assistance reportedly reached around 100,000.
Lopez made the remarks in a radio interview, noting that the figures indicated a significant gap between registered operators and those currently on the road.
He also said motorcycle taxi services have exceeded their combined cap of 78,000 riders, estimating that actual numbers may have surpassed 200,000.
Following the findings, the DOTr ordered Transport Network Companies and Motorcycle Taxi Platform Providers to stop onboarding new drivers and riders, except those already with valid franchises.
The agency also halted same-day or on-the-spot registration activities, citing the need to control the system and address overcapacity.
Lopez said government officials may also be accountable for lapses in monitoring, noting that the scale of excess operations should have been detected earlier.
The DOTr said it is studying possible penalties against companies found to have exceeded their approved driver and rider limits.