LTFRB: 200 units simply to replace expired/abandoned taxi franchises

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board yesterday clarified it has no plans of adding more taxi units in Region 7, but would only replace those whose franchises have already expired or abandoned.

In a press conference yesterday, LTFRB Regional Director Romulo Bernardes also denied he is selling franchises at P120,000 each. He challenged those who accused him to show proof and file charges.

Bernardes said Richard Cabucos, president of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, Inc. and other taxi operators have been accusing him of graft and corruption.

“Somebody even told me from MCTOA that some of its members and officers have signed a manifesto for my ouster as LTFRB regional director,” Bernardes said.

Bernardes said MCTOA has opposed the implementation of LTFRB Memorandum Circular 035, which opened the applications for appropriation of abandoned and/or expired certificate of public convenience in the regional offices.

The memorandum was issued by the LTFRB en banc.

The circular states that in Region 7, particularly in Cebu City, there are only 200 units open for application for appropriation for taxi air-conditioned service.

Bernardes explained the 200 units are meant to replace the abandoned or expired franchises of taxi and cannot be considered additional units to the already existing 6,079 units in the region.

Cabucos, however, reportedly insists the 200 units are additional units, Bernardes said.

Based on the certification issued by LTFRB Record Officer Reynaldo Elnar, franchises of 234 taxi units are already expired and/or abandoned.

Abandoned franchises are those franchises that were not confirmed or no longer renewed. Expired franchises, meanwhile, are those whose lifespan has lapsed. A franchise has a five-year life span.

Bernardes said there are several taxi fleet operators who are members of MCTOA who reportedly submitted their application for the 200 units that the LTFRB has opened for new franchises.

Bernardes said that because the circular was issued by the head office, the regional office is only mandated to implement the same. The circular was supposed to be implemented last year yet.

Sought for comment, Cabucos admitted they have already signed a manifesto for Bernardes’ ouster due to “lack of trust and confidence.” ”Wala na mi confidence niya. That’s why we want him ousted from LTFRB,” Cabucos said.

He alleged Bernardes has been selective in choosing operators who can avail of the new franchises. He said the taxi operators who are MCTOA members allegedly served as “enter the dragon” to ensure that they can be given a franchise without giving P120,000 to Bernardes.

Cabucos alleged that Bernardes has not disseminated the circularly properly and that they have no knowledge about it.

“Wala mi nakahibalo ana nga circular. Pagkahibalo namo kay hapit na mahurot ang 200 ka CPCs,” Cabucos lamented. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)