TACLOBAN CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the region has reported a 96 percent compliance rate in the consolidation of public utility vehicles under the government’s modernization program.
According to their report, out of 3,563 registered public utility vehicles in the region, 3,378 units have been consolidated as of May 31. This information was shared by Gualberto Gualberto, the regional director of the LTFRB, during a media conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Tuesday (June 4).
“I am happy to say that Region 8 is among the leading regions in the country in complying with the consolidation program,” he stated. “In fact, we have a 96 percent compliance rating, making us the number two region in the country in terms of program compliance,” Gualberto added.
Region 12 currently holds the highest rate of consolidation of public utility vehicles.
Gualberto expressed his satisfaction with the compliance of operators in the country, despite the program’s deadline having lapsed on April 30. He mentioned that drivers of public utility vehicles not enrolled by their operators under the program were provided assistance by the LTFRB as part of their social support initiative.
This assistance included enrolling drivers with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to acquire skills beyond driving, such as entrepreneurship. Alternatively, they were helped to join transport groups or cooperatives that had agreed to consolidate.
“No one was left behind because the LTFRB’s program is really to help our drivers and operators,” Gualberto emphasized.
He also assured that the riding public in the region was not affected by the program due to the high compliance rate among transport owners. Furthermore, based on their monitoring, no public utility vehicles that were not included in the consolidation continued to operate on the streets.
Some drivers and operators in the region have expressed reservations about the program, noting that preparing the necessary documents and purchasing new and modern units would entail high costs.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
