Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4)— A group of ride-share drivers will stage a “transport holiday” on Monday, July 8, to protest the alleged irregularities and “red tape” in the application and registration processes of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) units.
The decision to go offline stemmed from complaints about the public transport regulator’s supposed “inconsistent” rules and requirements, which have been affecting the processing of permits.
“Sobrang gulo as in. Araw araw iba ‘yung policy. Ngayon sa dito ka pupunta sa door 4, bukas sa door 3, bukas legal, ngayon may designated room,” said Janina Pineda, driver of ride-hailing company Grab.
[Translation: It’s really confusing. The policies become different each day. Today you’ll go to door 4, tomorrow you’ll be directed to door 3. Today it’s legal, tomorrow there’s a designated room.]
“Ilang araw ako nagpupunta ng LTFRB ang tao po hindi mahulugang karayom,” said another driver Edson Natividad.
[Translation: I’ve been going to LTFRB for several days now, there are so many people lined up.]
Regulators, however, have denied the supposed delays.
“We have actually reduced the processing time as well as the documentary requirements,” said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra said.
Grab, in a statement Thursday, urged their partners to show “utmost restraint” before taking actions “that could negatively impact the ability of passengers to book rides.”
“We recognize the TNVS partners’ right to free speech and peaceable assembly. In many ways, we also support the call for smoother processes and faster timelines,” the company wrote in its statement,
“We encourage our TNVS partners to work with us, with passengers, and with our regulators to address TNVS pain points through dialogue.”
The transport holiday will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
CNN Philippines Correspondent AC Nicholls contributed to this report.
