Some drivers ignorant of franchise provisions – LTFRB
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) lamented the lack of knowledge of some drivers on provisions of the public utility vehicles (PUVs) franchise that will be among the major challenges that will be addressed by the Public Utility Drivers Academy Program (PUDAP).
LTFRB-10 Regional Director Aminoden Guro said many of the PUV drivers were not even aware that one of the requirements stipulated in the terms and conditions of the franchise issued to them was that they are not allowed to join transport strikes.
If public utility drivers are proven to have participated in protest actions against the government through transport strikes, Guro said they can be sanctioned, and worse, the operators' franchises could be revoked.
PUV drivers from the region are required by the LTFRB to attend a one-day PUDAP, where they will relearn traffic rules, and pass five modules, which will include the terms of the condition of their franchise, road safety, good driving habits, road rage and anger management, traffic signs and pavement markings.
PUDAP was launched all over the country by the LTFRB last August 17.
The re-training of the PUV drivers was mandated by Executive Order 202, which instructed the LTFRB to “formulate and implement policies, including the requiring of operators and drivers of public land transportation service to attend trainings and seminars in line with their roles and responsibilities.”
Those who do not pass in the postseminar examination will have to repeat the particular module they have failed until they are given an identification card that certifies they have passed all requirements of the academy.
Aside from their lack of knowledge on terms of conditions of their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), the LTFRB also disclosed that there were drivers who need to control their temper and develop their courtesy while on the road.
“Many of them don’t give way to pedestrians and their fellow motorists, and some display antagonistic character while driving,” Guro said.
He also noticed that those who come from major urban centers like Metro Manila and Cebu were more knowledgeable on the traffic rules than those from small towns.