City council to LTFRB: Stop order for more 200 taxi units

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board was urged by the Baguio City Council to rescind the LTFRB order allowing additional 200 taxi units here. 

The committee on public utilities, transportation, and traffic legislation of the City Council opposed LTFRB’s memorandum circular no. 2019-016 to open application for 200 additional taxi franchises for Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet to any point in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

During the council’s regular session on Dec. 2, members debated on the pending application of said additional 200 taxi units.

Councilor Benny Bomogao, chairperson of the committee, said the stand of the city government on the matter is that additional taxi units will only exacerbate the city’s 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 said. 

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 issue on 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 said. 

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.

Bomogao cited resolution 422-2017 entitled, “Favorably endorsing with the LTFRB and Regulatory Board Central Office for its consideration the petition of concerned taxi service operators to allow late filing of application for extension of validity of expired certificate of public convenience to operate taxi services.”

Bomogao said the request was deliberately ignored by the agency. 

Heeding Councilor Michael Lawana’s suggestion, the committee agreed to check 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 Sept. 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 of the LTFRB to identify needs of the city in terms of public land transport service.

The route plan was supposed to have been submitted within 30 days for 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.