LTFRB defers campaign against out of line buses

CEBU, Philippines - Public utility buses operating out of line but with pending applications for modification of routes may continue operation until November 30 without risk of apprehension and paying huge fines after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has deferred the campaign against colorum operations.

The LTFRB has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2014-018 which deferred the implementation of the campaign against out of line operations until the end of November.

LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said that the campaign was supposed to start on October 17, but with the issuance of the new memorandum all operations have been called off.

The new memorandum, which was signed by chairman Winston Ginez and board members Ronaldo Corpus and Antonio Enrile-Inton Jr., attested by lawyer Roberto Cabrera III, also took effect on the same day the campaign was supposed to start.

The LTFRB issued on July 9, 2014 MC No. 2014-010 which allows bus operators to apply for modification of routes subject to the guidelines provided under the memorandum circular.

During the hearings conducted by the LTFRB on the application for Modification of Route pursuant to Bus Rationalization, substantial number of applicants failed to comply with the publication requirements set forth in the notice of hearing, constraining the Board to re-issue second notices of hearing for republication purposes and scheduled the hearings on October 8, 9, and 10, 2014.

“There were affected operators on the proposed modified routes who interposed their respective oppositions to the applications filed, which will require this Board to deliberate judiciously and thoroughly the resolution of the contested applications,” the new memorandum circular read.

  The decision is also to ensure that adequate buses are available to serve the commuters during the All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.

Meanwhile, Cuizon received an outstanding score by the Career Executive Performance Evaluation System.

The outgoing LTFRB-7 director, who is set to take on a new position as assistant general manager of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, got a CESPES final score of 6.55 for 2013. Cuizon served as LTFRB-7 director since 2010 and will be leaving behind a legacy of reforms in the office.

He said that his return to the MCIA is the next logical development of his career development.

 “I feel that my mission in LTFRB is done, so it’s about time to move on to where our help is also needed,” said Cuizon.

Credited by many for restoring public trust in an agency rocked by scandals in the past, Cuizon’s impressive record of commitment to service is reflected in many initiatives that were never done by previous LTFRB-7 directors.

These include the elimination of fixers and spurious franchises related to the practice of some public utility vehicle operators to claim the presence of non-existent garages and the illegal transfer of license plates.

Another is the strict implementation of the age limit of buses to 15 years old only in order to ensure public safety and the modernization of fleets in these industries.

This is also in line with the future implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport System, which his office also vigorously pushed and which already earned the approval of Malacañang.

“We applied LTFRB rules fairly, so that even big transport companies were meted suspensions and other penalties whenever they figured in accidents or when they committed violations,” said Cuizon.

His office also conducted massive road safety inspections of buses and terminals especially during peak seasons like Holy Week, and All Souls’ and Saints’ Day.

But the project Cuizon will probably be most remembered for is the ‘Oplan I Love You’ campaign against overcharging taxis during Valentine’s Day.

Cuizon was MCIA Public Affairs Manager from 1996 to 2010 before taking office as LTFRB-7 director.  (FREEMAN)