LTFRB chief vows to address ‘deeply rooted’ transport problem

MANILA, Philippines — Newly installed Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz has vowed to address the “deeply rooted” issues of road transport in his third stint in the sector in less than half a year.

Guadiz took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday.

“I admit that work at the LTFRB will not be easy. Our public transport sector is beset with so many deeply rooted issues and challenges,” he said in a statement.

“However, what I can assure the public transport sector and our riding public is that I am ready and determined to face those challenges and offer possible solutions to the best of my ability,” he added.

LTFRB officials and employees welcomed Guadiz’s appointment, saying they would fully support him as head of the agency.

“You can expect that we will listen and act for an orderly public transportation. Under the leadership of Chairman Guadiz, the agency is making sure that we will move toward safe and comfortable travel,” board member and former officer-in-charge Riza Marie Paches said.

Guadiz’s appointment is the third in a span of six months. He was appointed head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in July and was later reassigned to be the assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure under the Department of Transportation in November.

Guadiz was replaced as LTO chief by Arturo Jay Tugade, son of former transport secretary Arthur Tugade who served during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

He replaced former LTFRB chief Cheloy Garafil who is now serving officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary.

Guadiz also served as a regional director at the LTO National Capital Region and Region 1 before his appointment.