Gov’t impounds 10 illegal trucks-for-hire

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started cracking down yesterday on trucks-for-hire without the temporary pass given to those seeking franchises.

The agents apprehended 10 such trucks, with their owners facing fines of P200,000 each.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the apprehended vehicles did not have provisional authority given to trucks seeking franchises.

Ginez noted that apart from the fines, the apprehended vehicles would also be impounded for three months.

These penalties were set under a joint administrative order imposing graver sanctions for traffic violations, including colorum operations.

Meanwhile, the board has also recalled an earlier memorandum circular on the acceptance of applications for exemption in the operation or trucks-for-hire.

In another memorandum, the board said the decision was made after a consultation with members of the business sector with trucks being used exclusively in their business operations.

The new memorandum was signed by Ginez and board members Ronaldo Corpuz and Antonio Inton and executive director Roberto Cabrera III.

With this, the board instructed its technical division and regional offices to stop accepting applications for exemption.

Those who had earlier filed such applications would be eligible for refund of payment of fees.