Traffic comes to a standstill along EDSA amid rain and mall sales. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file 

MANILA -- Why is it so hard to book a Grab ride during rush hour?

This was the question of Senator Raffy Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, on Tuesday’s hearing about Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS).  

Atty. Gregorio Tingson, Grab’s Head of Public Affairs, admitted that they do not have enough drivers, especiallly during rush hour.

“Marami hindi bumibiyahe, at yung iba pinapalipas po yung traffic kaya po kailangan maincentivize po sila na bumalik po sa daan especially pag kailangan po ng riding public,” Tingson said.

Tulfo criticized this.

“Pag ma-traffic yung iba ayaw nilang bumiyahe, samantalang yung mga regular taxi, ma-traffic o hindi nagbabiyahe sila. Yung mga taxi drivers kapag sila'y namili ng pasahero minumultahan sila pero mga taga Grab nakakalibre,” Tulfo pointed out.

The Senator also cited complaints about high fares. In a video produced by Tulfo’s office, passengers were interviewed about their TNVS ride. One passenger said from P600, she now pays P900 for a ride. There were also complaints about drivers cancelling their bookings.

“Magbu-book ang isang pasahero sa Grab sasabihin will be there in 20 minutes. Pagdating ng 20 minutes, papa-extend ng another 10 minutes. Na-extend, so naging 30 minutes na and then all of a sudden ica-cancel. Ba’t ganun?” Tulfo said.

“And then kapag ang pasahero ang nag-cancel malilintikan,” Tulfo remarked. “Dapat alisin multa na 50 pesos kung magkansela pasahero. It should go both ways.”

Tingson apologized and said they investigate reports sent to them.

“Dito po nagkakaroon ng kaukulang imbestigasyon o tinitignan po yung bawat sitwasyon at titignan yung reasons for cancellation. Minsan po iba iba po siya but ang importante po ay inirereport din po sa platform para maaksyunan po namin agad,” Tingson said.

“May tinatawag na penalties pag may reklamo,” he added. "Graduated po siya. Minsan suspension, ban sa platform.”

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said there is a corresponding penalty for drivers who cancel.

“If and when a passenger gets cancelled and an appropriate complaint or we were notified , the sanction there is on the first offense is a penalty of P5,000. The violation is refusal to convey dahil tinanggap mo 'yung pasahero and then ayaw mo siyang dalhin sa kanyang destinasyon,” Guadiz said.

“Meron na po kaming mga na-sanction bagamat kokonti lang po dahil kokonti ang nagpapaabot sa LTFRB,” Guadiz further stated. 

Tulfo instructed Grab to put a notice in their application that drivers who will cancel will be penalized P5,000. Tingson said they will adhere.

20 PERCENT DISCOUNT, SURGE

It was revealed during the hearing that drivers, not the company, shoulder the 20% discount given to persons with disability, senior citizens, and students.

Saturnino Mopas, Chairman and Spokesperson of the TNVS Community Philippines said, “Almost six months na po yata… Ang nag so-shoulder po ay mga drivers na po.”  

Tingson said they based this policy on Memorandum Circular 2018-004 pursuant to Republic Act 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons With Disability.

Guadiz said, however, that this should not be the policy.

“Before we award them the franchise, nandoon na po ‘yun – the 20% discount shall be shouldered by the TNC regardless whether it’s Grab or any other TNC, ‘yan po ang batas na ipinapatupad namin sa LTFRB and we are bound by that law,” Guadiz explained.

“So hindi sila sumunod sa franchise agreement?” Tulfo asked.

“I would assume, Sir,” Guadiz answered. “May I request them for a statement from the driver and we will give them a show cause and if the evidence warrants, we will issue appropriate suspension of their franchise.”  

“Puwede na po naming aksyunan agad and we will conduct a hearing next week,” he added.

The Committee hearing also touched on the issue of surge in fees although it did not delve into the reason behind this.

Tingson said 80 percent of the income from surges goes to their drivers while 20% is reinvested to incentivize drivers.

Mopas confirmed Tingson’s statement, “Bawat biyahe namin may kaukulang insentibo.”