Route leaders to hold dialogue with LTO-7 today

CEBU, Philippines - Around 40 leaders of 22 different routes will troop to the Land Transportation Office-7 today to have a dialogue with the agency’s officials.

The route leaders will also furnish LTO-7 a copy of their motion seeking to temporarily stop the implementation of an administrative order that impose higher fines for traffic violations.

Romeo Armamento, an official of the National Confederation of Transportation Union-Cebu, said that it disheartened them that the Department of Transportation and Communication, together with the LTO and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board, issued Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01that carries exorbitant penalties.

“Daghang mga kamatuoran sa kadalanan ang wa na nila gi-consider. Ilahang gipatas-an ang multa sa mga traffic violations pero mahitabo ani mo grabe ang kotong. Kaming mga pwede mi himo-himoan og sala sa mga traffic enforcers aron lang gyud mi makamulta. Unya kay mahal na man ang penalty, sabot-sabuton na lang na ang bayad unya way resibo,” said Armamento.

Armamento said that just like their counterpart in Baguio City, JAO No. 2014-01 was not implemented after the latter was granted a temporary restraining order.

It can be recalled that the said JAO was implemented nationwide last June 19. It contained the revised schedule of fines and penalties for violation of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation.

Armamento said that their counterpart in Manila will file the TRO before the Supreme Court.

“Gusto namo nga ang Supreme Court mopagawas og desisyon pinaagi sa pagdeklarar nga unconstitutional ang maong JAO,” he said.

The order likewise imposes a fine of P1 million for the first offense for colorum buses and the unit will be impounded for three months.

Aside from buses, other colorum public utility vehicles such as motorcycles, jeepneys, sedans, vans, and trucks, shall also be penalized if apprehended.

For the drivers’ group, they are not opposed to the apprehension of colorum public utility vehicles. —/NSA (FREEMAN)