Gov. Degamo assails transport law

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Tuesday rejected the controversial Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation and Communication/Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, calling it “stupid” as he questioned its legality.

The governor met with the three chiefs of the LTO District Offices in the province and heads of transport groups and the Federation of Transport Associations of Negros Oriental,  to discuss issues on the JAO 2014-01, which stipulates stiffer penalties against colorum vehicles and other traffic violations. 

When informed that the order is being implemented nationwide, Degamo contended that it “is not aligned with” or could not supersede Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines.

Degamo also questioned the legal authority of the DOTC/LTO and LTFRB in enforcing JAO 2014-01, which he said is unfair and unjust for the transport sector. 

Alberta Janine Lawas, chief of the LTO District Office in Bais City, responded by citing some provisions in the law that were the bases of the joint order to increase the fines and penalties of certain traffic violations. The LTO District Offices are only implementers of the law, she said.

Lawas suggested to Degamo and the transport sector to come up with a position paper reflecting their sentiments on the order. She also requested the governor to meet with and air his concerns to transport agencies’ regional officials, who are set to pay a courtesy call on him next week before the province-wide operations to implement the order.

Meanwhile, FETANO president Victor Miramon admitted that the members of their federation are well within the bounds of the law and they have nothing to fear about the implementation of JAO 2014-01 except for one concern: Holding the operator similarly liable if his or her driver is found guilty of traffic violation.

Miramon said transport operators could not monitor their drivers at all time, although it is their duty to remind the drivers of the responsibilities on the road. He added that the schedule of penalties under the joint order is too much.

Miramon, who also operates some vans-for-hire, further lamented that the order has been zeroed in on public transport instead of including private vehicles. “The law is not balanced, for us who are providing public service as opposed to the private sector,” he said.

Majority of the transport groups during the meeting said they were not consulted prior to the creation of the new law. Since it is already a law, there is not much that they can do about it, but Miramon said they will appeal to the LTO for enough time for the adjudication of an apprehension under protest before they are made to pay the fines and penalties.

Lawas said that, under the JAO 2014-01, a violation can be contested but the adjudication will be done at the regional office level. (FREEMAN)