City gov’t execs oppose 200 new taxis in Baguio

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Council directed the City Legal Office in a resolution to exhaust legal means to uphold the stand of the city government against the entry of 200 taxi slots into the city until a final ruling from the Supreme Court is issued.
    This, after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) nixed the opposition of the local government and various transport groups in the city against the implementation of LTFRB memorandum circular 2019-016 which opened the application for the additional 200 taxi units and LTFRB resolution No. 117 series of 2020 which reopened the selection process since the first four applicants were disqualified.
    Following the LTFRB’s decision, the city government has filed a motion for reconsideration before the board.
    Lawyer Jordan Tumayan of the City Legal Office said the city government will appeal to Dept. of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade should the motion be denied by the board.
    In his decision letter dated Jan. 29, Martin Delgra III, LTFRB chairperson, directed the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office - Cordillera Administrative Region (RFRO-CAR) to carry on with the application process.
    “After thorough evaluation and review of the allegation propounded by all the oppositors, the board finds no cogent reason to vacate the implementation of board resolution 117 series of 2020,” the letter stated.
    The letter added that the opening of the application for the 200 taxi units is premised to fill in the gap between the existing number of taxi units and the actual demand.
    The board asserted that there is a deficit of 183 units to cater to the riding public in the city and that these 200 additional units are not new or fresh franchises but are replacements of the abandoned and expired ones.
    “The RFRO-CAR may accept applications for taxi services when justified in a gradual and calibrated manner,” the letter stressed.
    In 2020, various transport groups and the city government of Baguio represented by Mayor Benjamin Magalong filed their respective position papers opposing the application of 200 taxi units.
    The applicants, through their legal counsel, were compelled to respond.
    The city government, in its position paper, contended that the entry of additional taxi units in the city will do more harm than good.
    There are 3,227 active taxi franchises at present. The city government expressed that this number is more than sufficient to cater to the needs of the riding public in the region. According to a study cited in the position paper, the city requires only 2,452 taxi units for Baguio residents and 769 units for LISTT (La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay) areas or a total of 3,121 taxi units for the entire BLISTT. The city government noted that these existing taxi units operate mostly within Baguio City.
    Meanwhile, the Sanggunian’s committee on public utilities, transportation, and traffic legislation chaired by Councilor Benny Bomogao argued the city government’s opposition was for the public interest as it does not only concern traffic management but also  “working relationships” between the LGU and the LTFRB in the issuance of franchises which may greatly affect the city.