Senator says LTFRB should explain delay in issuing permits for Uber, Grab

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday questioned the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) process of issuing permits to operate to ride-hailing applications, saying it takes too long.

“So many people are already dependent on Uber and Grab, about 1 million of our citizens depend on those modes of transportation. My question is, bakit natatagalan ang LTFRB sa pag-issue ng kanilang mga permits?” Poe said in an interview with ANC's "Beyond Politics".

“I think the LTFRB has to be able to explain bakit natatagalan na ma-issue ‘yung permit.”

Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, expressed her frustration over the LTFRB’s planned apprehension of some 50,000 unlicensed Uber and Grab vehicles next week when there are still colorum jeepneys and buses.

“So kailangan lahat ‘yang mga walang permit kailangan mag-stop ng service nila dahil colorum sila eh ang dami pa ngang bus, ang dami pa ngang jeep na colorum na hindi pa nga nila natatanggal din ‘yan,” she said.

“Tapos sabihin natin, ‘Oh because they put the passengers’ safety at risk.’ Ah so mas ligtas ang ating mga kababayan sa mga bus na humaharurot sa kalsada at mga jeep na hindi pa masyado naiinspeksyon?”

• READ: Follow rules or face crackdown: Gov't tells Uber, Grab

Poe said the LTFRB should make requirements for permits clearer to make the process easier.

“Sasabihin nila kasi, kulang-kulang. Well you have to be clear kasi apparently a memorandum circular has come out that’s made it more difficult for Uber and Grab to comply. I think the bottleneck again is with government,” she said.

“I understand everybody should be equal in the eyes of the law but then they have to, as a government agency, they need to be able to facilitate issuing those permits without it being difficult?”

The LTFRB previously fined Uber and Grab for violating the terms of their accreditation, such as screening vehicle operators, showing proof of car registration, and allowing the transfer of accreditation certificates.

Uber has paid the P5-million fine the LTFRB has imposed.