New LTFRB director expected to curb taxi rise

CEBU, Philippines - Taxi operators here said they are happy with the appointment of the new director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas because they expect him to cap the rising number of taxi units.

Benjamin Go, the new LTFRB-7 director, assumed office yesterday.

“Nalipay kaayo mi, wala gyuy katupong among kalipay. Ang among pag-ampo nadungog,” said Richard Cabucos, president of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association.

“Ang among tuyo nga ang series numbering nga gi-implementar sa panahon ni Thompson Lantion, nga duna mi agreement, ma-period na…mabutangan na’g boundary…nga di na gyud musaka. Kay ang atong franchise diri, magsaka-saka, maong kaming mga operator naglabad ang ulo. Ang mga drayber, nigamay sad ang kita,” Cabucos added.

Go replaced former director Romulo Bernardes who is now assigned in Region 3 as mandated by Department of Transportation and Communications special order no. 2010-64.

“In the interest of the service, in affirmation of LTFRB Office Order No. 2010-095 dated April 26, 2010 and in view of the LTFRB request for exemption from the Comelec ban, your assignment locations shall be interchanged effective May 12, 2010,” the order read.

MCTOA started the protest against LTFRB officials whom the group alleged accepted new franchises in exchange for money despite an existing memorandum circular suspending the issuance of new franchises.

MCTOA is opposing the issuance of new taxi franchises saying the increasing number of taxi units operating in the region, particularly in Cebu, has affected the most the income of the drivers.

Cabucos said that ideally, there should only be 5,000 taxi units operating in Cebu but during Bernardes’ leadership, the number of taxi units operating in the Cebu allegedly ballooned to over 6,000.

Cabucos said that he does not know Go personally but is confident that the new administration will take care of their concerns and bring back the once peaceful relationship between LTFRB and the transport groups and stakeholders.

“Para pareha sa una nga in and out na sad mi, walay ingon nga gikontrahan mi sa director. Akong amigo, nangasangit ang mga papeles. Ang atong business diri sa opisina, sour naman, mao nang daghan kaayong mga papeles, mga renewal daghan na’g nakaapan,” Cabucos said.

Go promised that his priorities during his first days in office will be to review the policies and plans of his new office to assess what needs improvement and what needs to be changed.

“There will be an inventory of units. We will check the database, records and docket book to get the exact number of units. I will also speed up the processing of every transaction and maging more responsive sa mga stakeholders. There will be constant consultations with the stakeholders, operators and drivers, konsultahon nako sila. Dili ta muhimo og mga unilateral na policies without consultation,” Go a CESO V and AIM graduate said.

“Wala ko kabalao unsay gi-expect nila. Pero ang akong isaad nila, walay illegal activities, illegal operations under my watch. Everything will be above board,” he added.

Ariel Lim, head of the Public Transport Affairs of the Office of the President clarified that Bernardes’ transfer is not a chastisement but a decision to pacify the tension between the drivers and the office of the LTFRB.

“Our main job is to correct whatever the differences between the transport group and the government especially the LTFRB so nakita naman natin na may dahilan. Nagkakaroon kasi tayo ng problema dahil sa di pagkakaunawaan. Mas mahirap naman na pabayaan natin na hindi magkaroon ng magandang pagsasama yung transport group,” Lim said.

He said Bernardes was not transferred because the allegations against him were proven true.

“Ang confidence lang ang nawala. Sa akin lang is tumahimik, magkaroon ng katahimikan sa Cebu because I don’t want Cebu na magkagulo dahil dito sa mga namumuno natin,” Lim said.  (FREEMAN NEWS)