NCR, Bicol, Ilocos get 8,750 TNVS slots

LTFRB acting chair Greg Pua —PHOTO FROM LTFRB FACEBOOK PAGE MANILA, Philippines — To address the increasing demand for public transport in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Ilocos and Bicol regions, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Sunday the opening of an additional 8,750 slots for transport network vehicle service (TNVS). However, most of the new slots will prioritize electric vehicles (EVs), particularly Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), in line with the government’s directive to shift toward “modern and environment-friendly public transportation,” according to LTFRB acting chair Greg Pua. Of the total 8,750 slots, 7,500 will be allotted for Metro Manila and exclusively for EVs, including PHEVs and BEVs. Article continues after this advertisement “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 said in its Memorandum Circular 2026-084. READ: LTFRB revives fixed TNVS pick-up rate amid cost concerns “The classification of the vehicle as a BEV or PHEV shall be based on its registration and classification by the Land Transportation Office 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. The same allocations were given to Ilocos Sur and La Union. 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 LTFRB also shared that 600 slots were approved for Bicol Region, half of these for electric vehicles. Pua said that the opening of slots was based on their monitoring and study that showed an insufficient allocation of TNVS amid the growing number of commuters in Metro Manila and the two regions. Article continues after this advertisement He added that the LTFRB 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,” Pua said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. According to him, the LTFRB will start processing the application for the available slots once the memorandum circular has been published in a newspaper of general circulation. /cb