LTFRB asked to rescind memo circular on additional 200 taxi units

December 16, 2019 Metro BLISTT

The Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Traffic Legislation of the City Council is hell-bent on opposing the LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular Number 2019-016 which intends to open the application for 200 additional taxi franchises for Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet to any point in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The committee is also appealing to the LTFRB to recall the said memorandum circular. During the Regular Session on December 2, 2019, the City Council members debated on the pending application of said additional 200 taxi units.

Councilor Benny Bomogao, Chairperson of the committee, reiterated the stand of the City Government on the matter asserting that the entry of additional taxi units will only exacerbate the city’s continuing problem on traffic congestion.

“We already have 3,246 taxi units in the city. That number is more than sufficient to cater to the needs of the riding public. We should oppose this memorandum and ask the LFTRB to recall it,” Bomogao asserted.

Councilors Joel Alangsab and Arthur Allad-iw, members of the committee, reiterated that a moratorium on the application of PUV’s is still in effect and that the LTFRB should respect it. Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, however, raised a discussion about the LTFRB’s intention to fill in the 183 slots vacated by owners of 183 expired taxi franchises.

“I agree that we must maintain the number of taxi units in the city, but I personally think that we should not categorically deny the entry of the additional units. If there are franchises that expired, then there are vacancies. It’s not a violation since these 200 units are supposed to be replacements,” Tabanda contested.

In their report, the committee indicated the LTFRB’s admission that no survey or study was conducted prior to the issuance of the memorandum circular. The committee chairperson also criticized the LTFRB’s demand for a quota in applying for the 200 taxi franchises claiming that the latter’s demand for 50 units being the required minimum number is not stipulated in the agency’s implementing guidelines for PUV application.

Furthermore, Bomogao referenced Resolution 422-2017 entitled, “Favorably Indorsing with The LTFRB and Regulatory Board Central Office for Its Consideration the Petition of Concerned Taxi Service Operators to Allow the Late Filing of Application for Extension of Validity of Expired Certificate of Public Convenience to Operate Taxi Services.” Bomogao claimed that such request was deliberately ignored by the agency.

Heeding Councilor Michael Lawana’s suggestion, the committee agreed to do a follow-through on the case of the owners of expired franchises and review their appeal for late filing of Public Convenience to Operate Taxi Services.

Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon also moved for the reiteration of the City Council’s request for a Land Public Transport Route Plan. On September 23, the City Council urged the immediate preparation of the LPTRP by the City Planning and Development Office and the Traffic Management Division of the City Engineer’s Office in coordination with the Traffic and Transport Management Committee (TTMC) of the LTFRB in order to identify the needs of the City in terms of public land transport service.

The route plan was supposed to have been submitted within 30 days for the appropriate action of the City Council. However, the said offices have not yet submitted the LPTRP. All motions relative to the issue were approved by the City Council.

Jordan G. Habbiling/ABN