By LITO RULONA
Correspondent /
NORTHERN Mindanao Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-10) regional director Allan Guro has announced that he will not allow any ride-sharing companies like Uber and Grab to operate in northern Mindanao.
Guro said he will not allow any transport vehicle network service because it would affect the income of the non-member taxi drivers and operators in the region, specifically in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
He said in this city alone there are drivers who are members of Grab transport network companies unlike in Metro Manila where members are unmarked vehicles and owned by private individuals.
“Wala pa’y Grab and Uber unit nga gadagan dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro. Kanang mga taxi unit nga accredited by Grab taxi unit company ang ilang mga membro mao lamang ang mga driver dili ang ilang mga operator,” he added.
Guro said the driver members were allowed to fetch and carry passengers anywhere in northern Mindanao area because they are using a public utility franchises in the area.
“Unmarked vehicle are not allowed in Cagayan de Oro and any other cities in northern Mindanao. The public can use mobile apps to call Grab taxi drivers to fetch them anywhere,” he pointed out.
He explained that the number of taxi units operating here in the city are still enough to serve the public.
However, Guro reminded the riding public that if they want to avail of Grab services, they can still pay the units through metering. P40 flag down rate and another P3 in succeeding meters to their destinations still apply.
“There are no changes even on the uniform worn by the drivers which is still red,” he said.
On Monday, LTFRB central office in Metro Manila announced the suspension of the accreditation of Uber for one month.
The LTFRB also ordered the company to cease and desist operations of its online booking application, which allows users to book rides on their smartphones.
The board said the order is effective immediately.
“The board meted out the penalty of one month suspension on the accreditation of Uber System, Inc. and was ordered to cease and desist its operation of their online booking application during the period of suspension,” LTFRB said in its advisory.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
