‘TNVS strike not felt by commuters’

MANILA, Philippines — The strike staged by Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers yesterday was not felt by commuters in Metro Manila, according to ride-hailing platform Grab.

TNVS operators and drivers cut short the transport holiday at 10 a.m. following a dialogue with officials of government agencies.

The strike was supposed to last until 6 p.m.

Grab said the supply of cars on its platform was “normal like an ordinary day” despite the transport holiday.

The transport network company said fares were also steady during yesterday morning’s rush hour.

 “Despite the TNVS strike initiated by some groups, we have not seen difficulties in getting rides,” Grab public affairs manager Jenicka Hosaka said in a statement.

TNVS operators and drivers staged the transport holiday to protest the policies of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in issuing franchises.

The dialogue was headed by Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lizada, Transport Undersecretary for Roads Richmond de Leon and Anti-Red Tape Authority officer-in charge Ernesto Perez. 

De Leon assured TNVS operators that the government would honor the LTFRB memorandum allowing hatchbacks on the platform.

But he said the crackdown on TNVS units without provisional authority or franchise would need to be discussed with the LTFRB.

The National Capital Region Police Office deployed trucks and other vehicles in Metro Manila to transport passengers.

Sen. Grace Poe underscored the need to regulate TNVS operations to better serve the riding public.

She slammed the LTFRB for its apparent inconsistent policies on TNVS.

Poe, who previously held hearings on TNVS as chair of the Senate public services committee in the last Congress, called on the LTFRB to make it easier for ride-sharing networks to do their business.

“While we respect the LTFRB’s mandate to regulate the industry and ensure the safety of the riding public, we also have to recognize that calls to make the process easier according to the Ease of Doing Business Act is only for the good of everyone,” she said. – Non Alquitran, Paolo Romero