By HANNAH TORREGOZA
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday urged the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to fast track the approval of the entry of new players now that Uber is no longer in service and Grab has the monopoly of the transport network vehicle service (TNVS) sector.
Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs, said he disapproves the way Grab is finally displaying “monopolistic behavior” now that Uber is off the market.
“Ilang linggo pa lang nawala ‘yung Uber, marami nang reklamo ‘yung ating mga kababayan. Tumaas ng almost 30 percent ‘yung pamasahe, marami nang drivers ang tumatanggi,” Gatchalian said during a press conference at the Senate.
“Dito natin makikita na nagkakaroon na ngayon ng monopolistic behavior. Ibig sabihin pang-aabuso na itong nangyayari,” he pointed out.
Therefore, he said, the LTFRB should now facilitate the entry of new ride-sharing applications, saying the “more players, the better price.”
“Dapat papasukin na ang mga interesadong pumasok dito, lalo kung mayroong mga local companies na mag-de-develop din ng app (application). May demand ngayon for this type of service,” Gatchalian said.
Following the Grab-Uber merger, LTFRB said they are now in the process of completing the accreditation of three local ride-sharing companies Go Lag, Owto, and Hype, assuring there would be enough competition for the industry for the benefit of the public.
But after Uber Philippines ceased operations, complaints against Grab surfaced after riders noticed unusually higher fares than before.
PBA Party List Rep. Jericho Nograles, earlier slammed Grab after discovering that the ride-sharing company is charging its passengers two pesos per minute which is not approved by the LTFRB.
The LTFRB is now investigating the matter.
“If found that indeed the LTFRB did not approve that P2 additional charge, then Grab should return it – its not the drivers that should return it – because Grab is claiming they have already given it to the TNVS driver, but that cannot be returned by the TNVS drivers. It should be GRAB.
“Drivers cannot ask for the additional charge if Grab did not enforce it. Grab is the collecting agent, and they are giving it to the TNVS drivers,” he pointed out.
