Mandatory display of ID card in PUVs sought

MANILA, Philippines - A partylist legislator has proposed to make mandatory the posting and installation of laminated cards inside all public utility vehicles bearing information about the driver, operator and the unit.

AMA partylist Rep. Lorna Velasco's House Bill 3767 states that all operators and drivers of PUVs, without exception, shall be required to produce or acquire a laminated display card containing all necessary information and to post or display it conspicuously inside the PUV, visible and readable to all passengers.

It also provides that the display card shall include the complete name and contact number of driver, driver's picture, driver's license number and date of expiration as well as the complete name of and contact number of operator or owner.

It shall also include the plate number of PUV, body number of PUV, certificate of public convenience license number, authorized route as reflected in PUVs certificate of public convenience and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, hotline/contact number.

"The information will certainly empower the passengers and will ease the process of reporting abuses and crimes committed against them by erring public transport operators and/or their agents" she said.

Velasco said the importance and necessity of safe transportation nationwide cannot be overemphasized.  But this is undermined by an alarming number of crimes and abuses perpetrated against the riding public.

"It is a lamentable fact that in some cases the driver himself/herself is involved in the commission of these crimes. Also, a number of PUVs are being used as instruments to commit unlawful acts on a daily basis," Velasco said.

Under the measure, drivers and operators of PUVs will be responsible to keep the information displayed/reflected on the laminated cards updated and accurate at all times.

It is unlawful for any PUV driver or operator to operate without the required laminated display card and unlawful as well if such laminated display card contains false information or is posted in a place within the PUV not visible/readable for all passengers.

Violators shall be meted the penalty and fines of not more than P20,000 for the first offense and not more than P50,000 and suspension of the PUV’s franchise and driver's license for the second offense, the bill states.