Transport orgs oppose traffic fines increase

CEBU, Philippines - Public transport drivers and operators are opposing the proposal increasing fines and penalties for violation of land transportation laws and regulations.

The Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board have conducted public consultation on the proposal that seeks to discipline drivers, operators, and franchisers.

Acting LTFRB Transportation Development Officer Reynaldo Elnar said the revisions aim to eradicate ‘colorum’ operations.

“Mao nang patas-an gyod na siya kay actually gyod no ang mga penalties nato malikayan mana di ba, kon ang mga operator ug mga drivers motuman lang sa ilang obligasyon sa atong mga sumasakay,” Elnar added.

Acting LTO-7 Regional Director Arnel Tancinco said the increase in fines is also aimed at preventing road accidents.

“Because as of what is happening lately, we want to promote public safety and the public welfare, kailangan po nating protektahan ang mga pasahero at ang mga namamasada,” Tancinco said.

Elnar said the revision was made by LTO and LTFRB and is subject  to the approval of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

But public vehicle drivers present in the public consultation disagreed with the “exaggerated” increase.

“Sobra ra kataas ang fines, makahibulong kaayo nganong naabot og ingon ana kataas,” a driver said.

However, Tancinco encouraged drivers and operators to write in a form of position paper their opinions and disapproval before Monday.

Tancinco aimed to bring the matter to the national convention before the final drafting.

“More than half sa mga violations, gipangtas-an gyod para maglikay ang atong mga kaigsoonan nga hingtungdan nga mo-commit sa violation. Intention namo nga patas-an  aron makahuna-huna ang mga hingtungdan nga dili mo-commit sa violation,” he added.

Present penalties such as minimum of P100 but not to exceed P1,000 for first offense; P200 to P2,000 for second offense; and P500 to P5,000 for third offense would now be pegged at P1,000, P2,000 and P5,000, respectively.

Penalties for “colorum” will be raised to P1 million per violation for buses, P200,000 for trucks, P50,000 for jeepney, P200,000 for vans, P120,000 for taxi and P6,000 for motorcycles.

A driver drew applause from the crowd when he appealed to the authorities to allow his 15-year-old jeepney to operate as it is his only source of living.

“Agi lang ni og pakilooy nga maayo unta’g padaganon gihapon ninyo ang akong kinse na ka tuig nga jeep kay mao ra gyod tawn ni among panginabuhian. Wala na gyod ko’y ikapuli aning akong sakyanan,” said the 60-year-old driver Hilarion Labrador.

Cebu Provincial Bus Operations Association president Richard Corominas said the government should create a program for operators or drivers who are not capable of replacing their old units.

The LTO and LTFRB assured stakeholders that their opinions raised during the public consultation would be addressed during the final drafting of the rules and regulations. (FREEMAN)