Senator Win Gatchalian has called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately audit and “clean up” the master lists of drivers submitted by transport network companies (TNCs).
The senator warned on Thursday that bloated or inaccurate beneficiary records are a primary hurdle in the government’s effort to distribute fuel subsidies amid rising oil prices driven by Middle East tensions.
Gatchalian emphasized that during a period of fiscal constraint, the government must ensure that every peso of public funding reaches legitimate transport workers rather than unauthorized entries.
“Kung ang listahan niyo ay magulo at yung bilang ng beneficiaries ay nanganganak, hindi matatapos ang pagbibigay ng budget. Kami rin ang mahihirapan dito kasi saan kami kukuha ng pondo,” Gatchalian stated.
The demand for an audit follows a Senate hearing where TNC representatives reportedly admitted that some platforms have exceeded the vehicle and driver caps established by the LTFRB.
This “overcapacity” has created a logistical bottleneck, making it difficult for agencies to verify who is eligible for the standard relief packages intended for public utility drivers.
Gatchalian pointed out that while the intent is to provide immediate relief, the inclusion of unauthorized drivers creates a cycle of funding shortages and administrative delays.
“Gusto niting tulungan ang mga drivers. Pero kung magdadagdag kayo ng unauthorized na drivers, hindi matatapos ang problema natin,” the senator added.
To address long-term systemic issues within the industry, Gatchalian has also proposed Senate Bill No. 1112, or the Transportation Network Service Act. The measure seeks to institutionalize the regulation of TNCs, standardize their operations, and provide a legal framework that ensures commuter safety and driver welfare.
The call for action comes as the LTFRB continues to roll out fuel subsidy payouts—such as the recent distributions for taxi drivers on April 24 and 25—while working to verify the remaining hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in the broader transport sector.