'Act humanely'- Poe to LTFRB's proposal

Raizza T. Dauz | January 23, 2018

Photo from INQUIRER.net

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is re-evaluating its proposal to prohibit hatchbacks and compact cars to function as transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and should “act humanely” according to Senator Grace Poe.

LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada has said that the agency is planning to forbid and to get rid of the accreditation of small, compact cars or non-2,000-cc rated vehicles for Uber and Grab, citing the safety of the passengers.

“Safety is a paramount concern in any mode of public transportation. However, given that many hatchback or compact cars have been allowed to operate as TNVS for the past two years without incident, then the LTFRB should consider the livelihood of those affected by their order,” Sen. Poe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said in a statement.

However, Poe said that the owners of compact cars who have already registered with TNCs under the old guidelines “should not be suddenly deprived of their livelihood.”

Once executed, the LTFRB’s plan would not just take away the sustenance of TNVS operators and drivers, but also the effect in fewer TVNS servicing the TVNS-riding population, Poe pointed out.

“Are two-year old hatchbacks any less safe than a 10-year old taxi or one that is not well-maintained?” she added.

The senator said that the LTFRB should not just inflict firm measures on hatchbacks alone but also to all kinds of public utility vehicles to ensure the safety of the riding public