CEBU, Philippines - Travel agencies have cried foul over Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s imposition of fines reaching up to P1 million for colorum buses.
Consul Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of Network of Independent Travel Agencies said they have been waiting for more than three years to get the franchise with the LTFRB.
Joseph blamed the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas for its alleged inaction on the requests of travel agencies for endorsement. An endorsement from DOT is needed for LTFRB to issue a franchise to buses used by tour operators.
LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon earlier said he will immediately issue franchise to tourist buses endorsed by DOT. The DOT’s alleged inaction has resulted in colorum operations by tour operators.
“Nobody can pay a million pesos, so what will happen, lagay, huwag nang one million, give me nalang P10,000 nakamura ka pa,†said Joseph during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza.
The worst case, Joseph has cited, is that authorities are just destroying tourism when they catch colorum buses with the tourist inside.
“The tourists when you catch them, they do not know who is the policeman here and who is the theft,†he said.
Joseph said tourists will get scared and think they will be shot or the bus they are on board is high jacked.
The group is set to bring up the issue by making a representation with the Department of Transportation and Communications in Manila.
The DOTC has set the fine for colorum operations at P1 million for buses, P200,000 for vans and trucks, P120,000 for sedans, P50,000 for jeepneys and P6,000 for motorcycles.
The DOTC together with the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office would implement the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 containing the revised schedule of fines and penalties for violation of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation starting today.
Apart from the fines, colorum vehicles would also be impounded for a minimum period of three months. The certificate of public convenience would be revoked as well as the vehicle registration.—(FREEMAN)