DOTr Acting Sec. Giovanni Lopez. Photo courtesy of Connie Calipay/ Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the onboarding of new transport network vehicle service drivers and motorcycle taxi riders.
The agency said the move came after data showed that some companies had exceeded their allocated limits for drivers and riders.
The department clarified that the suspension does not cover transport network companies and motorcycle taxi platform providers with existing valid franchises or provisional authorities.
The directive followed disclosures of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez at a Senate hearing that the number of drivers who received government cash assistance recently went beyond the 78,000 cap imposed on transport network companies.
The aid had been provided by the DOTr and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.
Authorities also said that on-the-spot or same-day onboarding of drivers is no longer allowed without prior approval from the regulatory board.
The department added that they are studying possible penalties and fines for companies proven to have exceeded their onboarding limits.
The order came as the government began investigating reports of so-called tempo drivers, or those awaiting approval, whose numbers may have contributed to the breach.