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By Jefferson Antiporda Reporter
MAJOR public transport
organizations who recently asked the Land Transportation Franchising
and Regulatory Board for a fare increase said they are willing to
withdraw their petition for an increase if the government could look
into issues hounding the entire public transport sector.
In a recent meeting with
Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and
Communications, transport leaders assured the government that they
will not push through with their fare hike request if the government
could address the seven major concerns of their sector.
Efren de Luna, president of the
Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), maintained
that their petition for a P1.50 additional on top of the P7.50
minimum fare is fair, considering that fuel prices already exceeded
the P35 per liter mark.
But, he assured that they will
accept other alternatives as long as they it will help drivers and
operators cope with the situation at present.
The seven major concerns of the
PUV sector are the adjustment of the C5 U-turn slots, particularly
in the Libis-Ortigas area; reduction of computer fees being
collected by the Land Transportation Office-Stradcom and the issue
on the Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance; moratorium on the
implementation of the traffic ordinances of local government units;
removal of the 25 percent commission of traffic enforcers; increase
in the number of gasoline stations offering discounts;
implementation of a single ticketing system; and more serious
efforts in the anti-colorum (illegal transport vehicles) operations.
Mendoza was directed by President
Arroyo earlier to fix the PUVs concerns and come up with workable
mitigating measures on account of the increase in fuel prices.
Mendoza added his department is
already coordinating with other agencies with tasks related to the
issues raised.
Mendoza added he will coordinate
with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority concerning the
U-turn slots.
On the issue on excessive
computer fees, he said he will order the LTO to review the
operations of Stradcom and identify ways to lower computer fees.
The DOTC will also invite all
local chief executives to talk about traffic regulations in their
respective localities. A meeting will also be conducted between the
transport sector and the Energy Department to discuss the issue of
giving diesel discounts to PUVs.
The case of the single ticketing
system, on the other hand, is now pending with the Court of Appeals
and the DOTC can’t do something about it yet, Mendoza said.
On Tuesday, Claire de la Fuente,
president of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (Imboa),
filed a petition before the LTFRB asking for an additional P2.50 on
the minimum fare of non-aircon buses in Metro Manila.
The petition was backed by three
other major bus organizations.
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