Iron fist

The cancellation by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) of Don Mariano Transit Corp., four weeks after the accident involving one of its buses that killed 18 people, should signal the beginning of a massive review of transport franchises whether land, sea, or air.

Public safety should be a primary concern of the state, and when franchise holders exercise their privilege with profits, and not safety and convenience of the riding public, then it is but proper that this privilege be taken away.

LTFRB, thereafter, should start reviewing the records of other notorious bus companies such as Elena Liner whose bus killed six people just last November after it plowed through a group of commuters at the southbound lane of  EDSA-Magallanes in Makati City.

But other government agencies such as the Marina should also take heed. Sulpicio Lines, which changed its name to Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. and has figured in 45 sea accidents from 1980 to 2008 including the sinking of the MV Doña Paz in December 1987, dubbed as the world’s worst peacetime sea tragedy which left more than 4,000 people dead, and the sinking of MV Doña Marilyn the following year off the island of Leyte which left more than 250 dead, clearly no longer has the right to continue servicing the sea transport needs of the public. Not even a change in name should get it off the hook.

And of course, it is incumbent upon the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to determine the airworthiness of all aircraft and to see to it that all who man these aircraft know what they are doing.

Let’s face it, taking public transport had become dangerous. How can we then convince private vehicle owners to leave their vehicles at home and commute to ease the traffic if this would mean riding killer buses, taxis, jeepneys, and the like.

From the readers

Following your article, here are my two cents worth  of  comments:

1. Can we not implement an equivalent of UK’s MOT – vehicle road worthiness. Instead of just emmission test to include, brake, lights, tires, etc.

2. Increase the fines for errant drivers with corresponding point system in the license and increase in the amount of vehicle insurance for persistent violators and young/new drivers.

3. Privatize the  issuance of license and make the acquisition of drivers license into a two-stage examination (theory and practical).

4. Increase the number of  traffic/LTO  enforcers  and equip them with digital camera and computerize the issuance of ticket. No need to stop them or take their licenses for citation, this can be done through mail and they can contest their violation not with enforcers but with LTO offices. This is done in Europe. Police offices do not confiscate your license anymore.

5. Put more video cameras in intersections, main roads. This can also be privatized and operated by call center agents. Tickets can be sent by mail.

6. Privatize by allowing private schools and colleges to offer traffic rules and road safety; for local traffic enforcers, LTO, Barangay tanods, and police officers.

7. Regulate all public roads – any vehicle should pay for parking (overnight and use per hour.)

These actions do not need legislation but can be implemented immediately. In the next five years, there will double the number of  road users both pedestrian, bikers, cyclist  and vehicles. Chaos is certain. Do we wait again until a major incident happens – GIL ZARCILLA

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