Binay sa LTFRB: ‘Wag harangin ang libreng sakay

MANILA, Philippines – Nakiusap si Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay ngayong Biyernes sa Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board na huwag ipatigil ang kanilang libreng sakay na mula sa Quezon City hanggang sa Ayala Avenue bunsod ng matinding siksikan sa Metro Railway Transit (MRT).

"Ang apela lang namin sana hindi ipatigil ng LTFRB ang aming libreng sakay habang pinag-aaralan namin ang mga hinihingi nilang requirements," reaksyon ng alkalde sa liham ng LTFRB sa pamahalaang lokal ng Makati.

"Mas mabuting magtulungan tayong mga nasa gobyerno para guminhawa kahit konti ang mga pasahero ng MRT,” dagdag niya.

Kaugnay na balita: Libreng sakay ng Makati hinarang ng LTFRB

Inabisuhan ng LTFRB ang Makati City na kumuha sa kanila ng permit upang maipagpatuloy ang kanilang programang libreng sakay.

Sinabi ng LTFRB na suportado naman nila ang programa ng Makati ngunit naniniwala silang kailangang magkaroon ng kaukulang permit upang matiyak ang kapakanan ng mga pasahero.

Tinukoy din ni LTFRB chairman WInston GInez ang Section 13 ng Public Service Law na “LTFRB has the jurisdiction, supervision, and control over all public services and their franchises, equipment, and other properties, and has the necessary powers and the aid of the public force.”

Pero iginiit ni Binay na hindi na nila kailangan pang kumuha ng permit dahil mga government vehicle ang kanilang gamit sa kanilang programa.

"We received an application form for a permit to operate out of line from the LTFRB and we are studying it. Our vehicles are city-government vehicles. We do not have a franchise or a line," sabi ng alkalde.

"This is an emergency situation that requires quick and decisive action. We want to help ease the suffering of the riders who are mostly employees in Makati companies. It has already affected their productivity."

Samantala, tinukoy naman ni City Administrator Eleno Mendoza ang Section 13 (a) ng Public Service Act kung saan nakasaad na "public services owned and operated by government entities shall not be required to obtain Certificates of Public Convenience."

"We feel that Makati should not be treated like a private operator and be required to apply for a special permit for out of line operation as required by the LTFRB,"  wika ni Mendoza.

Nagsimula ang libreng sakay ng Makati City nitong Marso 27 mula ala-6 hanggang alas-9 ng umaga ng Lunes hanggang Biyernes.