LTFRB asked to issue special permits to Coron tourist vans

There is a need for an interim solution to address the problem after the Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishment (CATE) raised its concerns on the impact of the crackdown against colorum vehicles.

Board Member Winston Arzaga has asked the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board ( LTFRB) to issue special permits to the operators of shuttle vans in Coron town as an interim measure in the absence of franchises. “For the meantime na wala pa ang line ng LTFRB diyan sa Coron or even kahit mayroon ng line ay alam naman natin hindi ganoon kabilis ang proseso. So, I suggest na ang LTFRB ay mag-issue muna ng special permit para walang disruption sa ating mga turista diyan,” Arzaga told Palawan News on Wednesday. Arzaga raised his proposal as transport authorities impounded service vans in Coron this week which are mostly operating without licenses, crippling the town’s main economic activity which is tourism. He added that there is a need for an interim solution to address the problem after the Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishment (CATE) raised its concerns on the impact of the crackdown against colorum vehicles. “Napaka-embarrassing na ang turista ay pumunta diyan hoping na everything is in order tapos pagdating they will not get any van to ride from the airport (or to the airport when they leave),” Arzaga said. On Tuesday, the LTFRB, after meeting with Coron officials, agreed to open franchise lines to shuttle vans in the town provided the transport group organize into cooperatives. However, Argaza said that it will take a long time before franchises will be distributed, pointing out that the issuance of the special permits is the best solution to immediately solve the problem where a number of tourists are affected. “Alam naman natin na ‘yong process for franchising ay matagal ‘yan, although mayroon ng mga cooperative o grupo diyan but ‘yong act of filing, processing, and approval ay maybe there is a danger sa tagal. So habang pinoprocess ‘yan bigyan muna ng special permit,” he explained.