Council backs transport groups

THE ENTIRE City Council is backing the plea of transport groups on unreasonable LTFRB orders.

Reynardo Bacoco led transport groups on Monday at the City Council to get support in their opposition to LTFRB orders seen to be detrimental to livelihood of the sector.

Bacoco said the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2018-08, consolidation of franchise holders in compliance with the Department Order 2017-011, known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines will kill be a blow to the transport industry.

The orders state the operation of road terminals for public

transport groups with the consolidation of a sole garage and a fleet management system.

Bacoco said the order mandates all single franchise holders to consolidate into either a single cooperative or corporation; if not, run the risk of losing their franchises

Another provision of the order Bacoco laments is the forced conversion to the modernization plan of the department which aims to phase out old jeepneys and acquire Euro 4 engine types.

“Ang pinakamabigat sa Memorandum Circular ay yung after consolidation, the single juridical entity will receive its approved consolidated decision, magpapalit lahat ng compliant units within 3 months, lahat ng jeepneys natin knockout,” added Bacoco.

Bacoco represents the Cordillera Van Federation Association Inc. and the Lourdes Dominican Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association and said at present, there are approximately 3143 units of taxi, 4139 public utility jeeps, 56 units of registered school service providers, 124 public Utility Buses and 368 registered UV Express units.

The Department of Transportation order on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), is a flagship program of the Duterte administration which envisions a restructured, modern, wellmanaged and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.

The DOTr, LTFRB, LTO and OTC, results. as well as the other concerned agencies will conduct a pilot implementation in order to review and assess whether the new policies are responsive and efficient in achieving the program’s intended outcomes. The success of the program will revolutionize roadbased public land transportation and will usher in an improved riding experience for the benefit of our present and future generations of Filipino passengers.

Baguio City is part of the areas for the pilot implementation.