Palace to mediate MMDA-LTFRB feud

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said it would be facilitating a meeting of stakeholders amid the word war between the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Magkakaroon ng pagpupulong sa loob ng linggong ito na ang mangunguna ay ang Cabinet Secretary (Rene Almendras) para kuhanin ang input ng iba’t ibang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan at humanap ng common ground na pwedeng pagbatayan ng isang katanggap-tanggap na course of action,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters.

(There will be a meeting this week headed by Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras to gather the input of government agencies and to find common ground that would serve as a basis of an acceptable course of action.)

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino. FILE PHOTO

The two agencies engaged in a word war after the LTFRB allowed provincial buses to ply through Edsa while prohibiting the apprehension of “colorum” or illegal trucks applying for new franchise. On the other hand, the MMDA, with the backing of Metro Manila mayors, refused to recognize he memorandum circular, claiming that it will only result in worsening traffic congestion.

Coloma admitted that it was a complicated matter.

“Sa isang banda, sinisikap ng LTFRB at ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) na ayusin ‘yung daloy ng mga sasakyang pampubliko at magsagawa ng mga nararapat na regulasyon para sa kanilang pag-operate. At sa kabila namang panig, nandoon ‘yung kagustuhan ng ating mga punong-bayan, punong-lungsod na kasapi sa Metro Manila Council na huwag nang dagdagan ‘yung problema sa pagsikip ng kalsada,” he said.

(On one hand, the LTFRB and the DOTC are seeking to facilitate the flow of public vehicles by implementing appropriate regulation for their operations. On the other hand, the local leaders and members of the Metro Manila Council do not want to aggravate the traffic problem in the region.)

Coloma said the government recognizes that the streets of Metro Manila can barely accommodate the vehicles passing through it.

He called on the concerned groups and individuals to prioritize the welfare of the public.

Amid the so-called feud, Coloma said the agencies continue to consult each other.

“Sa katunayan, kahapon ay dumalo sa pagpupulong ng MMDA council si Chairman Winston Ginez at nangako naman siya sa mga alkalde na pag-aaralan ‘yung kanilang resolusyon na hindi sumasang-ayon sa mga hakbang ng LTFRB,” he said.

(In fact, yesterday LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez attended the meeting of the MMDA council and promised to study the resolution signed by the mayors opposing the LTFRB memorandum.)

Ginez earlier said that the government should consider the economy and address the need for good to be delivered from and to ports.

“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,” he said.

However, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said they would continue to apprehend the truck-ban violators, even those covered by the LTFRB memorandum circular.

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