LTFRB opens 8,750 slots for TNVS units in Metro Manila, Ilocos, Bicol

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has opened a total of 8,750 slots for transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units in Metro Manila and the Ilocos and Bicol regions to address the increasing demand for public transportation. The LTFRB announced on Sunday that 7,500 TNVS slots allotted in Metro Manila will be exclusive for electric vehicles that include Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). LTFRB Acting Chairperson Greg Pua said this was in line with the government’s directive for a “modern and environment-friendly public transportation.” Article continues after this advertisement READ: LTFRB revives fixed TNVS pick-up rate amid cost concerns “Conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) other than PHEVs, and other vehicle technologies that do not fall within the BEV or PHEV classifications shall not be eligible for the slots opened herein,” the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2026-084 stated. “The classification of the vehicle as a BEV or PHEV shall be based on its registration and classification by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other applicable government standards and issuances,” it added. The LTFRB also allotted 650 slots for Ilocos Region for electric vehicles, of which 75 slots each were for internal combustion engines and non-internal combustion engines in Ilocos Norte. It noted that the same allocation was given to Ilocos Sur and La Union. Article continues after this advertisement READ: LTFRB: TNVS’ CPCs to be automatically converted into ATOCs A total of 200 slots were allotted for Pangasinan, of which 100 slots each were given to internal combustion engines and non-internal combustion engines. Article continues after this advertisement The agency also shared that 600 slots were approved for Bicol Region, of which half were for electric vehicles. Pua said that the opening of slots was based on the monitoring and study that revealed the insufficient TNVS allocation amid the increasing number of commuters in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, and Bicol Region. He also said that the agency also considered feedback from various stakeholders. “A separate review and study pointed to increased economic activities as one of the major factors—expanding urban, commercial, government, and tourism centers that generate increasing demand for safe, reliable, accessible, and technology-enabled transport services for residents and visitors,” the LTFRB said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. The LTFRB said it will start processing the application for the available slots once the memorandum circular has been published in a newspaper of general circulation. /gsg