Lift moratorium on PUJ lines, DOTC execs urged

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city council has urged the Department of Transportation and Communication to lift moratorium on applications for extension of lines that would allow existing public utility jeepneys to ply the unserviced routes in the city.

In a resolution authored by Councilor Richard Carino, the body requested the DOTC “to amend or make an addendum to Memorandum dated June 8 2007 to include the approval of line extensions among those franchising functions for which the moratorium was lifted.”

Carino said the city council made the same request through Resolution No. 262 series of 2000.

However, the same was not addressed even when the DOTC Secretary issued the June 8, 2007 memorandum.

The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) imposed a moratorium on applications for new PUJ franchises through Memorandum Circular No. 98-026.

Before that, the city council in Resolution No. 292 series of 1998 asked for said moratorium to stem the proliferation of PUJs and prevent the further clogging of the city’s streets.

“Petition for extension of line does not entail the entry of new units hence it will be more practical and in keeping with the moratorium imposed by the LTFRB
Memorandum and city council resolution than to admit new units to service unserviced areas or new communities,” Carino noted.

Carino said there are pending applications for extension of lines such as the Baguio Guisad Jeepney Operators Association and others.