MMDA blames LTFRB for Katipunan traffic jams

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday blamed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday for the monstrous gridlocks along Katipunan Avenue and the C-5 Road in Quezon City.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the traffic jam is the result of the LTFRB’s new “non-apprehension” policy that lifted the ban on trucks for hire.

“The current move of the LTFRB will not only exacerbate the already worse traffic situation in the metropolis,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino meanwhile said the MMDA and the Metro mayors composing the Metro Manila Council would be more willing to discuss the concern with the LTFRB in a dialog.

Data compiled by the MMDA showed an 80.67 percent increase in the volume of trucks traversing Katipunan Avenue and C-5 Road.

Last June 28, the LTFRB extended its “no apprehension” policy for trucks-for-hire for another month to allow operators more time to file their provisional authority (PA).

The policy, which took effect last June 28 and was supposed to end last July 28, was extended by the LTFRB for another month to allow operators of trucks-for-hire to comply with the board’s franchising regulations before being allowed again to run on national roads.

Earlier, the business sectors and truck for hire owners requested the LTFRB to extend the “no apprehension” policy for another month, saying that a substantial number of applicants still yet to complete their application for PA with the LTFRB.

The board then issued a resolution, extending the moratorium from July 29 to Aug. 29. The board will accept applications for truck-for-hire services with PA until Aug. 22.

As of July 29, the LTFRB has received PA 7,371 applications from truck-for-hire operators for 28,198 units.