LTFRB demands e-commerce firms disclose delivery service partners

MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has directed five prominent e-commerce companies to submit documentation detailing their accredited truck-for-hire service partners, signaling a broader regulatory push against illegal delivery operations in the country.

Acting LTFRB chair Greg Pua Jr. issued subpoenas requiring the online shopping platforms to produce comprehensive lists of their transport providers. The directive reflects the regulatory board's determination to identify and eliminate unlicensed operators operating within the logistics ecosystem.

The order targets companies that have become central to Philippine commerce, with their delivery networks serving millions of daily transactions. Regulators have grown concerned about the proliferation of unaccredited carriers operating under the guise of legitimate e-commerce operations, circumventing licensing requirements and safety standards.

The LTFRB's enforcement action underscores ongoing tensions between rapid growth in the delivery sector and regulatory oversight. Officials have signaled they will pursue systematic compliance checks across major logistics networks to ensure all transport operators maintain proper government authorization.

The five firms now face a deadline to comply with the subpoenas, with non-compliance potentially resulting in administrative penalties against the platforms themselves.