House panel proposes 2-week suspension of UV express’ P2P plan

UV Express taxis PHOTO/ RUDY ESPERAS

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on Metro Manila development has proposed to postpone the point-to-point scheme implemented for UV Express transport services to allow operators to inform drivers about the changes.

Committee chair and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Winston Castelo has asked representatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to relay upon the board the recommendations of the committee.

“The committee would like to urge the LTFRB to seriously consider the sentiments of the representatives present here now that you give them at least two weeks reprieve before we implement the scheme,” Castelo said.

The suggestions came after Alliance of Concerned Traffic Organizations (ACTO) President Efren de Luna called out the office for shocking UV Express drivers with a sudden decision, without even being consulted through a public hearing.

“Ang talagang problema namin LTFRB, sinasabi na nga namin, no’ng nag-implement kayo sabi niyo nakaka-apekto kami, ang dapat inisip muna ninyo kung saan kami pwedeng magbaba at magsakay. Saan pwedeng mag-waiting shed ‘yong mga pasahero?” De Luna said.

“Ang sinasabi ng LTFRB pinproteksyonan nila ‘yong pasahero, hindi ba pinahihirapan niyo? Dapat nagkakaroon muna tayo ng consultation, ng public hearing. Ang kaso implementation na agad,” he added.

Last May 26, LTFRB released a memorandum which disallows UV Express to alight and accept passengers within the two-kilometer radius of their start point and end point.

With the measure, UV Express vehicles can only accept and load off commuters at their designated terminals — which may force some riders to walk or take alternative modes of transportation to reach their destination.

READ: UV Express operations to become P2P too 

UV Express representatives said that this measure presents a lot of problems, especially for some senior citizens who experience difficulty in commuting.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agency tasked to implement LTFRB’s decision, sees no problem with the implementation, with General Manager (GM) Jojo Garcia initially offering a 10-day reprieve.

“You could also quote GM Garcia that they do not interpose any objection,” Castelo told LTFRB officials.