Grab, Uber accreditation papers missing – LTFRB

The accreditation papers of Grab and Uber are missing, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced yesterday as the ride-sharing services sought a renewal of their permits to operate.

Aileen Lizada, spokesperson for the LTFRB, said the accreditation documents of the two transport network companies (TNCs) could not be found.

“For the record, when we assumed office in June last year, the accreditation papers of Uber and Grab have been missing,” Lizada told reporters.

Lizada said they have searched the offices of the LTFRB chairman and the executive director but the documents were nowhere to be found.

She said the papers were supposed to be in the safekeeping of a former LTFRB executive director, but his staff said they were not holding the documents.

The implications of the lost documents are not clear. But Lizada assured the TNCs that it would not affect their application for renewal of accreditation.

“The question is who took them and why?” she said.

Grab’s accreditation expired on July 3 while that of Uber will expire next month.

Robert Cabrera served as LTFRB executive director during the last administration.

Other previous executive directors were Glenn Zaragoza, CJ Marbella and Robert Peig.

The Duterte administration has appointed Augustine Vestil to the post.

The LTFRB is set to convene a technical working group to discuss the TNCs’ accreditation renewal and how many of their vehicles should be allowed to operate.

The agency earlier fined Uber and Grab P5 million each for colorum operations.

The Insurance Commission (IC) called on Grab and Uber to comply with the mandatory insurance coverage to ensure the protection of their passengers from accidents.

IC Commissioner Dennis Funa said only 56.18 percent of Uber and Grab-registered vehicles are covered by insurance under the Passenger Personal Accident Insurance Program.

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