Baguio execs hit LTFRB over PUV franchises

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government appealed to Dept. of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III not to approve any public utility vehicle (PUV) applications for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) whether inter or intra-connecting Baguio to and from other regions unless these were granted exemption from the moratorium on PUV franchise by the city council.

In Resolution No. 271-18 and approved by the body at the instance of councilor Benny Bomogao and signed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the City asked the agencies to honor the moratorium on the approval of public utility vehicle (PUV) franchise still in effect in the City.

The body decried the lack of consultation with the local government on the approval of the franchise for a new route from San Jose City to Baguio City with 15 bus units. 

“Let it be known that the city council was not consulted by the regional director of the LTFRB-CAR during the identification of developmental routes within their respective Regions stated in LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045, Series of 2018 and its passage particularly the 15-units Bus, San Jose to Baguio City route, which prompted the City Council to adopt this Resolution,” the Body said.

The LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045 series of 2018 dated May 31, 2018 entitled “Opening of Routes for Application for New CPC under the Initial Implementation of the PUV Modernization Program” states that on May 29, 2018 the LTFRB received authorization from the DOTr authorizing the route San Jose City to Baguio City and thereby directed the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices (RFRO) to accept and process applications for the issuance of new CPC on the said route under the PUV Modernization Program.

The resolution said the new route was presumed to be identified in coordination with the local government unit concerned but no such consultation was done with the city council.

The body said the move negates the various ordinance and resolutions adopted by the city council to ensure that the moratorium will remain in its bid to address the traffic situation in the city. 

“(Our) efforts will be put to waste if the LTFRB will not be considerate of all the Local Ordinances and Resolutions it has passed and adopted.  Resolution Numbered 316, Series of 1995 is still in effect and the LTFRB MC No. 96-002 is still binding,” the aldermen said.

Resolution No. 316-95 approved on Sept. 26, 1995 directed the city legal officer to file an urgent petition with the LTFRB and the Dept. of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to stop, oppose and suspend the processing of all applications for franchises of PUVs in the city.

Because of the resolution, the LTFRB issued on January 10, 1996 Memorandum Circular No. 96-002 declaring a moratorium on the acceptance of applications for PUV services which the aldermen said continues to be in effect as there has been no new order lifting the moratorium.