THE Grab management in Bacolod City on Thursday, May 25, said their operation is legal and they have a business permit from the city government.
Grab Bacolod manager Jocelyn Yoshida and government communications manager Fuena Nicolas clarified this in a press conference after Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) Luisito Acebuche had earlier said they are monitoring GrabCar operators because they don’t have a permit from the City Permits and Licensing Division and the BTAO.
Yoshida said they have secured a business permit and all the Grab car operators are covered by it.
Grab Philippines, a franchisee of Transportation Network Company by Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board, is a mobile hailing transportation application or platform.
“We aim to help ensure a modern way of getting a safe and comfortable ride on board either on GrabTaxi and GrabCar,” Yoshida said.
The mobile application is being used by 620 million people in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Grab is now in its two years of operation in Bacolod in partnership with their Grab taxi and Grab car operators.
“We are here to compliment, co-exist and help the Bacolod transport and commuting sector enjoy a modernized transport system in the city,” Yoshida said.
Jimson Ponce, a Grab taxi driver, said that Grab has helped him improve his income and his personality.
“I’m part of those drivers who underwent a training on Drivers Academy provided by Grab,” he said.
Marvin Infante, a Grab peer-driver said, said he used to work as an overseas contract worker, but with Grab he was able to have a stable income in his hometown.
Moreover, Nicolas said they are open to partnership with other taxi operators.
“We help our GrabTaxi and GrabCar drivers find passengers without roaming around the city. This mobile transportation application helps save fuel and time,” she said.
