KEN official says 'discrepancies' in plate, body numbers can be explained

CEBU, Philippines - The operations manager of KEN Transportation Incorporated assured that the company can properly explain why the plate and body numbers of some of its units contradict the records of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

KEN operates 312 taxi units in Metro Cebu.

Maricor Castañares said she is now preparing her reply to the memorandum order issued by LTFRB Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon asking her to explain why 26 of their taxi units have some discrepancies in the plate and body numbers.

Castañares said all of their taxi units are legitimate and are covered by 77 different franchises issued by LTFRB.

“Sigurado g’yud ko nga ma-explain ra nako kining maong mga discrepancies kon ngano nga wala magkapareho ang plate numbers sa iyang body numbers sa record sa LTFRB,” she said.

The units that have questionable records are those with body numbers 3045, 3047, 3052, 3007, 3012, 3018, 3025, 3030, 3077, 3094, 3119, 3146, 3152, 3203, 3208, 3209, 3256, 3258, 3260, 3275, 1503, 3009, 3072, 3156, 2565 and 3053.

Ariel G. Yburan, head of the LTFRB Testing and Sealing section, said he and his personnel discovered the discrepancies when the taxi units of KEN were submitted for inspection last January and February.

“Nahibulong g’yud mi kay duna may mga units sa KEN Taxi nga pareho ra og body numbers unya may mga units usab nga ang plate numbers lahi kay sa rekord namo sa LTFRB,” Yburan said.

Cuizon said he believes the report that some of the taxi operators in Metro Cebu are duplicating their units using only a single set of documents.

LTFRB 7 has revived the Anti-Illegal Franchise Task Force, the team runs after vehicles that are being rented illegally.

LTFRB-7 hearing officers Evelyn Misal and Rey Elnar have been ordered by Cuizon to investigate the case of KEN and to resolve it as soon as possible.

Reports have it that KEN Taxi is owned by a Japanese national who is married to a Filipina and is now living in Cebu City.   (FREEMAN NEWS)