MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to review existing order, rules and regulations issued by the local government units (LGUs) concerning public transportation.
The President's directive, embodied under Executive Order No. 712, also includes the review of the grant of franchises to tricycles, establishment and operation of transport terminals, authority to issue traffic citation tickets, and unilateral rerouting schemes of public utility vehicle by the LGU's.
The E.O. also directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), pending review of the DOTC of the transport rules and regulations issued by LGUs, and subject to existing laws, to advise LGUs to suspend (1) the establishment and operations of new and existing transport terminals that charge fees and require compulsory use by public utility vehicles, (2) the enforcement of re-routing schemes that violate the authorized routes as provided for in the PUV franchises, (3) the issuance of new tricycle franchises while respecting those that have been issued already, (4) the increase in local fees and charges applicable to public transportation, and (5) the implementation of local programs, projects and ordinances that have impact on the cost of operations of public utility vehicles without first coordinating and getting the approval of DOTC to ensure that these programs, projects and ordinances do not prejudice public interest by way of higher transport fares.
It also directed the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to implement a single ticketing system throughout Metro Manila in accordance with Republic Act 7924, and the DILG to establish and implement uniform truck ban hours that shall applicable to LGUs located in common area nationwide.
The E.O. directed the DOTC to establish a National Land Transport Policy Framework, which will facilitate the modernization of the land transport industry through the promotion of utility services that would provide assistance to the land transport sector.
The E.O. was issued to address the numerous transport organizations’ complaints about the establishment of common transport terminals by the LGUs in their respective jurisdiction; the use of their own traffic citation tickets known as Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVR); re-routing schemes in violation of authorized routes as provided in their respective certificates of public convenience issued by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB); and the enactment of various ordinances which result in additional cost to public utility vehicles operators and drivers.
The transport groups also objected to the continuous issuance of new franchises for the operation of tricycles and pedicabs despite the existence of too many units already operating on the road and the unsynchronized truck ban resulting in the delay in the delivery of goods.
Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said the E.O. states that the operations of public utility vehicles is imbued with public interest and factors that increase the cost of operations have a direct impact on transport fares, hence the LGUs should coordinate with the DOTC to ensure the public interest is not prejudiced.
