The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are teaming up to shake up public transport.
A new memorandum of agreement formalizes their collaboration, embedding competition principles directly into transport regulation. The pact sets rules for policy coordination, investigations, and information sharing, targeting anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and mergers that could hurt commuters.
Joint task forces, data access with confidentiality safeguards, and capacity-building programs for operators and passengers are all on the table. The goal is to make transport services fairer, more efficient, and consumer-friendly.
The timing is critical. Vehicle caps, restrictive franchising, and fare controls have sparked debate. Critics warn these measures can stifle market entry and innovation. Supporters insist they protect safety, quality, and system stability.
The MOA aims to balance both concerns.
The partnership strengthens the two agencies’ ability to safeguard commuters, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said. He added that competition in public transport should mean better services, more choices, and fairer prices.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II called for smarter, market-aligned regulation to help public transport provide better services to commuters.
The message for operators is to compete on efficiency and service, not protected positions. Meantime, it promises commuters more transparency, accountability, and value for money.
The pact is a potential game-changer as it creates a transport ecosystem where fair competition drives innovation without compromising public-interest safeguards.
By linking competition law to daily transport operations, the PCC and LTFRB hope to transform the system from rigid and restrictive into dynamic, responsive, and market-savvy—all while keeping commuters front and center.
