Sen. Grace Poe is eyeing a pre-Christmas deadline for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, as she prodded the regulator to fast-track and release LTFRB guidelines covering Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) ahead of the fast-approaching year-end holidays.
Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, on Monday pressed the LTFRB to complete the revised TNVS guidelines “at the soonest possible time,” after noting the board’s failure to meet a self-imposed deadline.
“In the interest of public service, the LTFRB should release the guidelines before the end of the year, preferably before the holiday rush,” Poe said.
The senator voiced concern that further delays in the release of those guidelines will “affect, not just the daily commute of those who rely on TNVS, but also those who rely on it for a living.”
Recalling the LTFRB’s promise during the Senate hearing to finish its revised TNVS guidelines by September, Poe acknowledged receiving a letter from the LTFRB explaining their delay in releasing the revised TNVS guidelines.
“I understand that given the numerous issues involved, which only came to light during the technical working group [TWG] discussions, it might be irresponsible on the part of the LTRFB to release new guidelines without taking into account the new issues that have surfaced,” Poe pointed out.
She noted that even during the TWG hearing conducted by her committee, it appeared that “the problems were not limited to simply the number of vehicles on the road or that of surge pricing.”
“Issues on fleet service, company markings on vehicles, and even insurance, among others, also need to be addressed,” Poe added.