LTFRB: Franchises now open for tour operators

Tour operators in Cebu can now have franchises for their tourist vehicles at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after the moratorium on the issuance of new franchises has been lifted by the Department of Transportation and Co

LTFRB- 7 director Ahmed Cuizon made the announcement yesterday during a dialogue with the tour operators initiated by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, chairperson of the committee on tourism.

Present during the dialogue at the Capitol were officials of the Department of Tourism-7, Land Transportation Office-7, and the Federation of Tourist Transport Operators Asso- ciation (FTTOA) in Cebu.

Magpale said that it was supposed to be the courtesy call of officers of FTTOA but she took the opportunity to discuss some of their concerns with LTFRB, LTO and DOT.

“I explained to them, I’m not here to solve the problems but only to provide the dialogue,” Magpale said.

Magpale said that among the concerns of the tour operators is the availability of franchise with LTFRB considering the increasing number of arrivals in Cebu as reported by DOT.

Cuizon said that the DOTC has already lifted the moratorium subject to certain conditions.

In April 2011, DOTC issued Department Order 2011-18 or “An Order Exempting Vehicles For Hire and Tourist Transport Services from the Moratorium on Franchise Issuance.”

The order was lifted but the LTFRB which is under DOTC is only giving franchise to brand new vehicles.

But Cuizon clarified that tourist vehicle bought years ago can still be issued franchise if it passed the standard set by DOT who gives the endorsement to LTFRB

The DOT is no longer accrediting vehicles more than 10 years old.

FTTOA president Alan Jesus Salmero of Alamo Transport said that their concern was already addressed upon knowing that franchises are now available.

The federation has 30 accredited members with more than 1000 units of tourist vehicles.

Salmero said it’s the DOT and the Provincial Government of Cebu could determine if the existing units are enough to accommodate guests during the APEC Summit to be held in Cebu in 2015.—