Rama asks DOTC: Ban ‘rolling coffins’

CEBU, Philippines - While he is against prohibiting old cars in public roads as long as they are still in good condition, Mayor Michael Rama has requested the Department of Transportation and Communications to prevent dilapidated vehicles from operating.

Calling them “rolling coffins,” he said removing rickety public utility and private vehicles, which pose danger to others, is one way of solving the worsening traffic problem of Cebu.

Land Transportation Office records show that as of last December 31, there are already 652,828 assorted types of vehicles registered in Central Visayas, most of which are in Cebu.

Rama said he has observed that there are several dilapidated public utility and privately-owned vehicles that are still allowed to operate.

“Kini nga mga sakyanan, nga mora na og (These vehicles, which are already like) rolling coffins, angay nga dili na padaganon (are the ones that should be banned from the streets),” Rama said.

In Central Visayas, the number of vehicles increases at more than 20,000 units every year. Because the government failed to build new roads and widen existing ones, traffic congestion has worsened through the years.    

The mayor said he was against the suggestion that old models of vehicles should no longer be allowed in public roads because there are those that are still in good running and body condition.

He cited his own Volkswagen—his first vehicle that bought in 1983, as an example. Rama said that though he no longer uses it, the Volkswagen is still in good running condition.

“Dili maayo nga dili na ipagamit ang mga old model nga sakyanan kay mao ra intawon kana ang maabot sa mga pobre; but kinahanglang atimanon lang ‘sab gyud sa mga tag-iya (It is also not good not to allow the use of old model vehicles because those are the only ones others could afford.  Owners should just take good care of the vehicles),” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Rama said he is against the imposition of very exorbitant fines that range up to P1 million, particularly against operators of units whose units are discovered to be colorum or illegally-registered vehicles.

Last Thursday, drivers and operators staged a transport strike to protest against the fines, including those imposed on the non-wearing of seat belts, which used to be P300 that was raised to P3,000 for every violation.

LTO-7 Assistant Regional Director Alita Pulga earlier said the higher penalties were meant to discourage the drivers from committing traffic offenses.

Rama, though, said stiff completion is what prompts drivers to violate traffic laws just so they could earn.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said there are 11,262 passenger jeepneys and 3,062 passenger multicabs in Central Visayas, most of which operate in highly-urbanized cities like Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)