Tugade tells LTFRB to immediately comply with ARTA order

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to immediately comply with the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) order to automatically approve all pending Transport Network Vehicle Service applications with complete documentary requirements.

“In a meeting yesterday with ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon to ensure LTFRB’s immediate implementation of ARTA’s Order, provided that substantive completion of documents/requirements are met by applicants,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran told reporters in a Viber group message Wednesday.

On Tuesday, ARTA ordered the LTFRB to issue Certificates of Public Convenience, or other appropriate licenses or certifications to all pending TNVS applications.

The order covers all pending applications that have been paid and heard by the board from July 7, 2018 to July 24, 2019—when Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act took effect.

The LTFRB is yet to respond to queries on how many pending TNVS applications are covered by the ARTA’s order. —VDS, GMA News