LTFRB urged to look into malpractices by PUVs

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has requested the Land Transportation  and  Franchising  Board-7 to look into alleged malpractices in public utility vehicles, especially the unreasonable refusal of drivers to convey passengers.

Board Member Arleigh Sitoy who sponsored the resolution said there have many complaints about public utility vehicles refusing conveyance or asking for additional fare “to make the conveyance worth their while.”

“Such has brought a massive inconvenience to the public as they now have to pay more than what the law prescribes or are forced to wait for a prudent driver to convey them to their destination. More and more abusive malpractices by some drivers should be curtailed to spare our passengers from further inconvenience,” the resolution reads.

Inconvenience, indeed, was what Marian Tulabing of Bulacao, Cebu City experienced that day a group of jeepney drivers decided to go on strike. At that time, she reportedly could not find a jeepney to ride to work after almost an hour of waiting so she decided to flag a taxi.

Many taxicabs were vacant at that time, she said, but refused to take her to Barangay Lahug because of heavy traffic.

“Daghan taxi nga vacant pero dili sila pasakay kay traffic kuno kaayo sa Lahug and Waterfront (There were vacant taxis but refused to convey passengers to Lahug area because of a heavy traffic that time), she shared with The FREEMAN.

One driver eventually accommodated her on condition that she would add more to what would reflect in the meter. When she inquired why, the driver reportedly stopped the taxi and told her that she would need to transfer to another vehicle because the car encountered engine problems. Tulabing said she was left with no choice but to disembark but as soon as she did so, the taxi took off fast even with the supposed engine trouble.

Tulabing said it was only unfortunate that she failed to get the taxi’s plate number.

With incidents such as Tulabings, the Provincial Board said it might be about time to revive the so-called “Oplan Isnabero” so that commuters will have easy access to traffic personnel.

LTFRB-7 Acting Transportation Development Officer Reynaldo Elnar said the operation is actually still in place.

“Wala man gyud na nawagtang ang Oplan Isnabero. Sige gihapon mi ana. In fact, wala pa gani na siya, mo-cater na mi sa mga complaints sa riding public,” he said.

He explained that they have received complaints but they usually would just get dismissed because complainants do not like to be identified.

“Mag-rely ra gyud mi sa complainant man gud and ato gyud i-call ang attention sa operator every time naay reklamo. So, anytime pwede ra gyud makatawag ning riding public nato,” he said.

The public can relay their complaints to LTFRB anytime, Elnar said, because the hotline number is posted in public utility vehicles. He, however, urged complainants to formalize their sentiments so that transport operators will be sanctioned properly.  (FREEMAN)