Transport operators urged: Join Friday public hearing

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 is asking transportation industry leaders in Cebu to attend the public hearing on its newly-proposed “Shepherd Badge Program” this Friday.

Regional Director Reynaldo Elnar said the program will enable his office to have an effective and efficient database management and ID/badge system that would properly record and monitor the training programs, competency assessments and certifications of PUV drivers and conductors have undergone from training centers and government agencies.

The system would also include data on road accidents and traffic and franchise violations.

“I urged the transport operators, especially their leaders, to attend this public hearing, so that they will be the one to echo this program to their members,” Elnar said.

 The program would also enable LTFRB to issue badges to PUV drivers and conductors that are counterfeit-proof, eco-friendly, and durable. The badges would serve as permits allowing them the right to drive and operate PUVs.

As proposed, PUV operators who do not have the Shepherd badges yet they allow their drivers and conductors to operate their PUVs would be fined P5,000 for first offense;  P10,000 for second offense and suspension of the subject PUV for three months; P15,000 for third and subsequent offenses and suspension of the subject PUV for six months.

Those caught driving PUVs without the Shepherd badges tagged in the database system would also be considered as a traffic and franchise rules violator and would be forever banned from driving a PUV.  (FREEMAN)