In a move to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of transport workers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have announced a formal study into granting amnesty for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers who have onboarded despite exceeding current vehicle caps.
The initiative follows a direct mandate from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the job security and daily income of Filipino drivers.
During the DAPO news forum on Saturday, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez highlighted a critical technicality in the ride-hailing industry: drivers cannot operate without being onboarded by a Transport Network Company (TNC). However, several TNCs have already surpassed their government-mandated vehicle limits.
“This platform—if you are not onboarded, you cannot travel,” Secretary Lopez explained. “It’s not necessarily a lack of franchise at this moment; the trigger is the TNC’s ability to onboard them.”
The Secretary emphasized the severe economic consequences of a sudden “cutoff” for drivers who have already invested in the industry. Many drivers have secured bank loans to purchase vehicles specifically for TNVS use.
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Risk of Foreclosure: Strict enforcement without a transition period could lead to mass vehicle repossessions.
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Global Uncertainty: Secretary Lopez noted that current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East add a layer of economic instability that makes protecting local jobs even more urgent.
The DOTr is currently evaluating the most sustainable path forward to balance regulatory compliance with the practical needs of the transport sector.
“If we cut them off right away, the problem becomes much bigger,” Lopez stated. “The DOTr is weighing and studying carefully what would be best for everyone to ensure no one is left behind.”
The results of the study will determine the specific criteria for the amnesty and how the LTFRB will adjust vehicle caps to reflect the actual number of active drivers on the road.
