LTFRB: Stop pinning blame, work on solutions to traffic woes

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Putting the blame on one another should stop and instead solutions must be sought to the worsening case of traffic in the Metro Manila, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Tuesday said.

“We should not blame each other. Let’s work on solutions,” LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said in an interview aired over Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Metro Manila Mayors and the Metro Manila Development Authority are blaming the LTFRB over the severe traffic congestion after it issued the new “no apprehension policy” for “colorum” or illegal trucks and its order allowing provincial buses to once again pass through EDSA.

The LTFRB’s resolution extends the “no apprehension policy” of all trucks-for-hire freight services with green plates and allows it to ply metro roads outside MMDA’s truck-ban hours from July 29 to August 29. This is to allow them to apply for a franchise and provisional authority.

Ginez said the economy should also be considered.

“They also need to do their jobs to deliver goods, imports and exports. If we did not address it and we apprehend them just like that the economy will also be affected. It also causes congestion to ports,” Ginez said.

“Our problems with trucks are not simple. It is very complex due to lack of roads, increasing population, new vehicles and mass transport problems,” he said.

Quoting a news report on MMDA figures, Ginez said that there were 79,000 trucks and 13,600 trailers in Metro Manila. Only 28,000 have applied for a franchise.

Trucks without provisional authority may apply until August 29.

“They have to undergo regulation otherwise after deadline we will continue to implement higher fines,” Ginez said.

On Monday, Metro mayors and MMDA unanimously approved a resolution defying the circulars issued by LTFRB. They warned truck operators to comply with the truck ban of the MMDA and bus operators were told to stick to their approved routes. MMDA will continue apprehending truck-ban violators and drivers.