Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has issued a strong warning to transport network companies (TNCs) and past and present transport regulators, after revealing that the number of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers in operation has far exceeded the government-approved cap.
Lopez said TNCs should be held directly accountable for onboarding more drivers than allowed, but also pointed to possible lapses within the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), including former officials who allegedly allowed the situation to develop unchecked. He stressed that both industry players and regulators share responsibility for the oversupply problem.
The issue surfaced sharply during a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cash aid payout, where Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported an unexpectedly large turnout of TNVS drivers. While early submissions from TNCs listed only around 20,000 to 30,000 drivers, actual processed numbers ballooned to about 185,000 four-wheel TNVS drivers and 293,000 motorcycle taxi drivers—far beyond authorized limits.
Lopez also noted that the number of drivers availing of government assistance has already surpassed the official 78,000-cap for TNVS beneficiaries, highlighting a major mismatch between regulatory records and actual participants in the system.
Despite the discrepancy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed agencies to continue extending financial assistance, including to “temporary” or “tempo” drivers affected by external shocks such as the Middle East oil crisis. Gatchalian said these drivers are being treated as individuals in crisis and are eligible for aid.
However, lawmakers raised concerns over the broader impact on public finances. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the PROTECT Committee, warned that unclear and shifting beneficiary lists make it difficult to determine funding needs. He said the uncertainty could force the government to allocate billions of pesos without a reliable basis, potentially affecting other budget priorities.
On the industry side, Grab Philippines acknowledged responsibility for errors in its “tempo” driver list and apologized to government agencies, saying it will correct its lapses and coordinate more closely moving forward.
