MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has yet to approve any accreditation of new transportation network companies (TNCs).
The Board made the clarification to dismiss reports that there are newly accredited ridesharing firms in the country.
“Regarding the three possible new TNC players, sila po ay nagko-comply pa ng mga requirements. ‘Yung isa po na kinausap namin noong Friday, Hero, they are still about to start complying. So wala pa ho kaming ina-accredit na bagong TNC. We are waiting for the compliance of the three TNCs po (Regarding the three possible new TNC players, they are yet to comply with the requirements. One company that we talked to last Friday, Hero, they are still about to start complying. We are not yet accrediting a new TNC. We are still waiting for the compliance of the three TNCs),” LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said in a text message to reporters Monday.
Lizada said this after Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Commuter Affairs Elvira Medina bared that there are four new TNCs accredited by the LTFRB.
The LTFRB official has earlier said that Lag Go, Owto and Hype have submitted their documents for accreditation.
The Board has also expressed its concerns over the order of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for Uber to continue their business following the acquisition of its Southeast Asian operations by Grab last March 26.
Lizada said the PCC order will adversely impact the welfare and safety of the riding public as Uber disclosed that it no longer has the funds and manpower to continue its operations.
The PCC has directed Uber to continue operating its app for the duration of the commission’s own review.
The PCC has formulated various interim measures that would ensure the credibility and integrity of its review on the merger of Uber and Grab for possible anti-competition concerns during its hearing last Thursday.
Among these include maintaining the independence of their business operations; refraining from sharing confidential information, such as pricing and operations; and refraining from imposing exclusivity clauses.
Both Uber and Grab were also asked to refrain from performing any practice that could lead to reduced viability of their businesses and prejudice the PCC’s power to review the transaction and impose remedies. (PNA)
