MANILA — Laban Konsyumer, Inc. (LKI), the consumer rights group led by former trade undersecretary Victorio Mario Dimagiba, has urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to fast-track the processing of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) applications.
Dimagiba, LKI’s president, said the LTFRB should act on pending TNVS applications that shall fill up the void left by Uber, after the transport network company (TNC) exited the Philippine market with the sale of its assets to its lone competitor Grab.
With Uber’s exit from the country, LKI noted that consumers have lost their right of choice in TNVS providers and at the same time, has created a virtual monopoly in the industry.
“LTFRB should inform consumers the track record of the new entrants, what services they offer, the route and destination points, the number of vehicles, the rates, insurance, and the technology they will use,” the LKI said.
Dimagiba added that the LTFRB should be transparent in its process.
It also asked the LTFRB not to meddle with the motu proprio review being done by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on the effect on competition in the ride-sharing market after Grab’s acquisition of Uber.
“LTFRB should stop meddling in the review of the Uber and Grab agreement by the Philippine Competition Commission or PCC. The Competition Act vests in the PCC the primary power to review and decide on the deal in accordance with the law,” said Dimagiba.
“Let the PCC complete the review of the deal. Any public statement supporting the shutdown of Uber by LTFRB could undermine the PCC review processes,” the LKI president added.
Last weekend, the LTFRB has expressed safety concern on PCC’s order to continue its operation beyond April 8 even after Uber expressed that it has neither the funds nor the manpower to continue operations.But the acquiring party, Grab, said it would comply with the antitrust body’s order saying it would subsidize the cost to extend the operation of the Uber app until April 15. (PNA)
