LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III (right) hands digital copies of franchise documents to BARMM Transportation Minister Paisalin Tago at the national office in Quezon City. (Photo from MOTC-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY–The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is now regulating the public transportation sector in the region, four years after the new political entity was born.
Starting on Monday, the Bangsamoro Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (BLTFRB) has started the issuance of public transportatioon franchises.
Transportation and Communication Minister Paisalin Tago said the assumption of responsibilities in managing the franchises of the public transport sector came after the historic turnover of assets, responsibilities, and related documents from the LTFRB Region 12 on May 12 at the LTFRB main office in Quezon City.
It was not clear why it took LTFRB about four years to transfer the functions to BARMM which started to function as a regional autonomous government in 2019.
The transfer was in accordance with Board Resolution No. 025 that decrees the transfer of all assets, digital records, franchises, special permits, provisional authority, and other corresponding documents for routes under BARMM from the LTFRB 12.
Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the charter of the BARMM, the regional government has the power to regulate the transportation sector in the region.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III led the turnover of the tasks and digital copies of franchise documents for routes under BARMM’s jurisdiction to Tago who represented the BLTFRB.
“This day not only marks the turnover of records and responsibilities but also represents the culmination of the centuries-long dream of our brothers in the south for autonomy,” Guadiz said during the turnover ceremony.
He stressed that the LTFRB fully supports BARMM leaders.
“We are grateful to the LTFRB for implementing the provision of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Tago said.
“(This is) another step that gives life to Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL,” said LTFRB Board Member Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes.
“It will implement what is being said on that law which will help the continuous development and achievements of the BARMM region,” Paras-Leynes added.
Tago said while BLTFRB is now working independently from the LTFRB, it will continue to collaborate and cooperate with its counterpart in other parts of Mindanao and the country.