BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The City Council has requested the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to temporarily cease accepting new applications for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots here.
This decision followed the recent passing of a resolution by the council, pending further analysis of Board Resolution No. 057, which had previously instructed LTFRB regional offices to accept new TNVS applications.
Board Resolution No. 057 revised earlier regulations by allowing new TNVS applications throughout Visayas and Mindanao. In a significant move, the Board sanctioned approximately 1,650 TNVS slots for operation in Iloilo, Bacolod, and the broader Region 6. If deemed unfeasible, the council proposed that new slots be restricted to just 200.
The City Council emphasized the urgency of communicating with both the LTFRB central and regional offices due to ongoing application acceptance by LTFRB-6.
In 2023, the LTFRB authorized 1,100 TNVS slots for Iloilo City, with around 900 currently operational. Additionally, 3,000 taxi franchises were issued, but taxi operators reported difficulties in achieving a net income of 500 for 12-hour shifts.
Taxi operators have voiced concerns that the proliferation of TNVS franchises has significantly reduced their daily earnings. Many taxis remain inactive due to a shortage of drivers and increased competition from TNVS providers.
The council criticized the lack of a proper basis and prior consultations with local stakeholders for the addition of TNVS slots.
Perfecto C. Yap, president of the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP), echoed these sentiments. He expressed disappointment over the LTFRB’s lack of public engagement with stakeholders and local government units before the resolution was issued, stating it appeared to lack due diligence and disregarded the impact on existing transport services.
Yap further argued that the surge in TNVS slots, potentially comprising 70% of Panay’s total taxi units, threatens fair competition in the transport sector. He opposed the decision, arguing that it undermines the balance between traditional taxis and newer ride-hailing services.
The latest board resolution by the LTFRB aimed to cater to the modern commuter’s needs and respond to the growing demand for transport services in the region. The decision was reportedly based on a comprehensive taxi availability index (TAI) that considered the population and tourism data of the island./PN
