Iloilo City Representative and House Deputy Majority Leader Julienne Baronda has called on Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) companies to temporarily reduce their commission rates to help ease the financial burden on drivers grappling with rising fuel costs amid the ongoing energy emergency.
In letters dated April 9, Baronda appealed to major ride-hailing platforms—Grab Philippines, inDrive, Angkas, Maxim, JoyRide, and Move It— to exercise corporate social responsibility during the crisis.
The lawmaker commended the firms for maintaining stable fare rates for commuters but emphasized that thousands of TNVS drivers continue to shoulder the brunt of surging fuel prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
“While commuters have been spared from fare increases, our drivers are bearing the weight of the energy emergency. A temporary reduction in commission rates would help augment their daily earnings,” Baronda said.
She explained that commissions—typically a percentage deducted from every completed trip—significantly affect drivers’ net income. Lowering these rates, even on a short-term basis, could provide meaningful financial relief and ensure the sustainability of TNVS operations.
Baronda underscored that the initiative seeks to strike a balance between protecting commuters from higher fares and safeguarding the livelihood of transport workers.
As global fuel price volatility continues to ripple across the transport sector, the Iloilo solon expressed hope that TNVS providers would respond positively to the appeal, reinforcing their commitment to social responsibility and economic resilience.IMT
