LTFRB bares strategic plans and programs

CEBU, Philippines - With the theme “Safer journeys on the road,” the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board bares three strategic plans and programs that will be implemented until 2016.

During the Transport Summit yesterday organized by LTFRB-7, LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said that these three cover the safe, dependable, reliable and adequate public utility vehicles; anti-colorum operations; and improvement of LTFRB’s business processing.

Ginez said that as part of  their ongoing modernization policy, the phasing out of buses, taxi, mini buses and other public utility vehicles that have reached its “age limit” continues.

LTFRB is currently implementing the phase out of buses that already reached the 15-year-old age limit.

Guidelines are set to determine the year model of the vehicles that are subject to phase out. The guidelines, however, are still subject for approval by the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Meanwhile, Julieto Flores, spokesperson of Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, during the open forum, inquired on the status of their request submitted to LTFRB last March. The association had requested the extension of the age limit for buses and mini-buses for another three to five years.

Ginez acknowledged that he received such letter and already forwarded it to the Office of DOTC secretary for proper action.

Furthermore, an administrative order increasing the fines of colorum PUVs as high as P1 million was also given by LTFRB and Land Transportation Office.

Other programs and plans of  LTFRB include enhancing its public assistance/complaint desks through social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Also, a study regarding the installation of GPS, CCTVs, or speed limiter in buses nationwide is ongoing.

A search for a nationwide “Super Tsuper” will also be launched to encourage drivers of PUVs to be mindful of their huge responsibility of keeping their passengers safe.

Finally, LTFRB is making an online verification of certificate of public convenience that is tamper-proof.

“We are confident [that] with your cooperation and understanding, we will be successful in our mission,” Ginez said to the transport stakeholders who joined the summit.  (FREEMAN)