MANILA, May 2, 2026 — Over 50,000 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) and motorcycle taxi drivers were discovered to be operating without valid franchises, or “colorum,” during the government’s cash aid distribution, prompting the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to halt new driver onboarding and tighten oversight of ride-hailing platforms.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez revealed that the number of TNVS drivers who registered for aid far exceeded the official cap of 54,000. “Sa TNVS, ang allowed, based on our list, is only 54,000. ‘Yun ‘yung may tamang prangkisa. Now, noong nagbigay ng ayuda ang mga drivers that are asking for supposed ayuda lumagpas sa 54,000. Base nga sa listahan ni [Social Welfare] Sec. Rex Gatchalian, umaabot ng 100,000,” Lopez said in a radio interview.

The situation was even more alarming for motorcycle taxis. Lopez explained that the total cap across providers is only 78,000 riders, but estimates show more than 200,000 are currently on the road. “Sa motorcycle taxi naman… per provider, binibigyan natin ng cap. Ang suma total ng cap is only 78,000. Ang riders na nasa kalsada is lalagpas na yata ng 200,000. So, sumobra na talaga,” he added.

The discovery came during the distribution of government cash aid to transport workers affected by rising fuel costs, worsened by global disruptions linked to the Iran war. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that over 478,000 drivers nationwide have already received ₱5,000 each, amounting to more than ₱2.3 billion in assistance.

Lopez has ordered Transport Network Companies (TNCs) and Motorcycle Taxi Platform Providers (MTPPs) to stop onboarding new drivers and riders unless they hold valid franchises. 

He admitted that lapses in monitoring allowed platforms to exceed their quotas, saying, “Sabi ko, mayroong kasalanan din dito ang mga government officials… kasi hindi pwedeng hindi niyo alam with such magnitude na napakalaki ang sobra, ang colorum ay either nagbubulag-bulagan ka o hindi nakikita.”

Industry experts warn that widespread “colorum” operations not only undermine law-abiding drivers but also expose commuters to safety risks. Data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) show that up to 72 percent of TNVS units may be operating without proper authority, reflecting systemic gaps in regulation and compliance.

The crackdown highlights the growing tension between commuter demand, platform expansion, and regulatory enforcement. While aid distribution has provided temporary relief, the exposure of tens of thousands of unauthorized drivers underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight and reforms in the ride-hailing and motorcycle taxi sector.