By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — A coalition of big transport groups on Thursday (Oct. 16) hailed and threw its full support to new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.
“Mabuhay ang bagong LTFRB Chairman Asec. Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II. May pag-asa na tayo,” they shouted.
Mendoza said that they have problems 25 years ago and they are the same problems today.
He vowed to finish the paper works in 30 days.
He added that they will utilize the new technology to facilitate the government transaction such as online registration and the fixers will now be the encoders.
Mendoza told the rank-and-file employees of LTFRB about what they lack is the “heart”.
“You minimize your brain, but enlarge your heart,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB chief challenged the transport sector to submit to him the list of LTFRB personnel who are just enriching themselves in office.
“Let’s stop all of these (illegal activities). Let’s start now. Let’s do it now,” Mendoza said.
He stressed that on “Bantay Ruta” , the LTFRB will initiate criminal prosecution against the “colorums” which are already known the transport industry.
`Let’s put in the right place your respective routes nationwide,” Mendoza said.
He noted that there are now 400 pending cases for modification of routes.
Mendoza assured that under the modernization program, there will be no traditional jeep which will be towed.
“Road safety will not be compromised. Transmission (problem) courtesy of Ka Lando. Loans can also be lent from Ka Lando,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza thought that the work in LTFRB is just easy. But in his four days in LTFRB, it’s like two years of work.
In an earlier press conference at Max’s Restaurant in Quezon Avenue, Orlando “Ka Lando” F. Marquez, National President of LTOP (Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas), said that LTFRB Chairman Mendoza promised him that within six to one year, all their problems will be solved.
Marquez added that the Assistant to the President told him that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has already approved the P10-Billion financial assistance to their organization.
Under the Bagong Pilipinas Office, Marquez said, they should prepare all the lists of the benefits for them which will be granted within six months to one year.
“If you don’t register, you have no right to complain,” Marquez said.
Marquez had previously been a Director of the Road Board.
“All the problems of the towns, provinces, and regions should be written in a list such that I have given Chairman Mendoza a feasibility study on Bantay Ruta, that will be studied by the Technical Working Group, which Mendoza promised to be solved in six months to one year,” Marquez said.
Mendoza has been a Board Member of the LTFRB before then he became LTO Chief and he was appointed LTFRB Chairman last Oct. 10.
Marquez stressed that he is not against the program of DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian on the Love Bus free ride, but he said, the transport industry is also paying taxes to the government, which was also stolen with the anomalous flood control projects of the DPWH.
He added that they are asking for at least P7 Billion from the P257 Billion slashed from the DPWH budget for flood control program which was rechanneled by President Marcos to other government agencies.
Marquez lambasted that e-trikes are operating in provincial airports although they don’t have franchise and driver’s license.
He also scored the colorum tricycles, vans and jeepneys who refuse to modernize but it cannot be taken against them because of poverty.
Marquez named the “kotong cops” or police scalawags as “katulisan” for their nefarious activities.
Almost 14,700 traditional jeeps, Marquez said, were replaced by modernized mini buses marked with modernized jeep and made by China which is bullying the Philippines.
“The reason why they don’t want to join the cooperatives is because the name of the owner of the franchise is missing,” Marquez said.
“I’m not stealing franchises which will enrich my family,” he added.
“If the intestines of the thieves can be taken, may the lightning strike you,” Marquez said.
In a Memorandum Circular, LTO Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II has signed and approved the OR/CR for the franchise of the LTOP, which for Marquez, brings about hope for the officials and members of the nationwide transport organization.
The problem on e-trikes in Metro Manila which are now running unimpededly even without professional driver’s license.
They are asking for “four gives” in a year on their “clearance of account”.
They are also asking Chairman Mendoza to facilitate their registration.
They also asked LTO Chief Asec. Markus V. Lacanilao to eradicate the “kotong traffic enforcers” from the street.
They noted that motorcycle taxi units are now numbering 100,000, operating through 7 apps online, which are eradicating the livelihood of taxis and tricycles, despite the many fatalities in road accidents involving motorcycles, and majority of such motorcycle taxi are “colorum” which are even operating “door-to-door”.
Col. Bong Nebrida, Head of the Traffic Operations Center of MMDA, said that he heard reports that the Magnificent 7 is already gone which was the former partner of government.
“There’s nothing wrong with all that is legal. The one that kills the legal ones are the illegal ones,” Nebrida said.
“We don’t stop at apprehending ‘colorums’, especially the colorum motorcycles, which are not registered, no insurance, and without driver’s license,” he added.
Dexter Alvinas, QC Traffic Chief, said that the 18,389 flying units as approved by the QC government, which will be submitted to the LTFRB.
He added that they are improving the loading and unloading zones in QC, especially in Commonwealth Avenue, which needs the help of the transport sector, as well as the road safety measures and the zipper lanes during rush hours.
Former DILG Usec. Atty. JP Llamas, National Consultant of LTOP, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the government and the transport sector in order to ensure better service to the commuting public nationwide.
Stop N Go President, ACTO, Deo Sotto, National President of Fejodap, President of all Ayala Malls terminals, National Federation of UV Express, Leonardo Bautista, motorcycle groups;
Transport cooperative from San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, regional presidents from Region 1, CAR, Carlos Gomez from, Region 2, Region 3, Region 6, Region 9, Region IV-A, Region IV-B;
Provincial presidents Eduardo Guillien from Pampanga, Zamboanga del Norte, Aparri, Cagayan, Bataan, Parañaque City, Trinoma Transport Cooperative, SITAK, Baguio City, United Transport of Cordillera, trucking industry;
Philippine Shuttle Association, Inc., chairmen of cooperatives, or corporations, and representatives from the trucks and buses, and legal counsel Atty. Tirso Peralta were all present. ###
