MANILA — Major online shopping platforms operating in the Philippines have been officially directed to submit their rosters of delivery partners as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) steps up its campaign against unauthorized transport units and illegal trucks-for-hire.
The regulatory crackdown comes in response to formal grievances lodged by legitimate transport groups concerning unauthorized delivery vehicles deployed through e-commerce applications.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg Pua Jr. announced that formal subpoenas have been issued to the delivery and logistics divisions of Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, TikTok Shop, and SM Retail Inc.
“We are in the initial phase of our aggressive operations against truck-for-hire or delivery service motor vehicles that are providing services illegally. By summoning the list of these five online shopping platforms, we will be able to identify those legitimate and colorum ones,” Pua stated.
According to Pua, the subpoena forms an essential component of ongoing enforcement efforts targeting vehicle owners offering commercial delivery services without obtaining official franchise permits from the agency.
The official directive mandates the companies to comply within a strict timeframe:
“You or your duly authorized representative… is hereby COMMANDED to submit before this Board, within three (3) working days from receipt hereof, the complete and updated list of its accredited Truck-for-Hire (TH) service providers, together with relevant documents identifying such service providers. The foregoing documents shall be submitted for the consideration and appropriate action of this Board in connection with the matter under investigation,” the subpoena explicitly noted.
Pua emphasized that securing these records from e-commerce giants will significantly strengthen the board’s initiative to eradicate illegal delivery operations. He reiterated that all delivery services fall under the regulatory jurisdiction of the LTFRB, meaning unpermitted commercial transport constitutes an illegal “colorum” operation.
Violators face severe consequences, including vehicle impoundment and fines reaching up to ₱200,000 per unit.
Beyond addressing road safety concerns, the LTFRB highlighted that unfranchised transport operations create an uneven playing field for compliant, legitimate operators who regularly shoulder regulatory compliance costs.
Consequently, the LTFRB’s Law Enforcement Unit has received orders to intensify nationwide anti-colorum sweeps.