MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued show cause orders against 21 transport network companies (TNCs) over alleged discrepancies in the reported number of fuel subsidy beneficiaries.

LTFRB chairperson Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the directive aims to clarify inconsistencies in the list of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers who were reported to have received fuel subsidies.

“We want to ferret out the truth in relation to this incident. Is there a deliberate attempt to increase the number of beneficiaries on their part, or is this a case of negligence and incompetence in complying with the LTFRB order?” Mendoza said.

“These are just some of the questions that we want clarified as we dig deeper into this discrepancy,” he added.

The LTFRB said the action followed a verification process conducted by its personnel and other government agencies, which flagged inconsistencies in the reported subsidy recipients in the ride-hailing sector.

Under the show cause orders, the 21 companies were directed to explain in writing why their authority to operate should not be suspended or revoked.

The LTFRB also cited possible violations, including the onboarding of vehicles without proper authorization and failure to maintain active units on their platforms.

The companies were likewise required to submit a list of drivers previously endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with corresponding vehicle plate numbers.

A hearing has been scheduled for May 14, with company executives or authorized representatives ordered to attend.