LTFRB-7 slaps fines vs ‘trip cutting’ drivers

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 has intensified the campaign against jeepney drivers who are practicing “trip cutting” or those not following their designated routes.

LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said the agency’s enforcement personnel apprehended seven jeepney units travelling Cebu City southern routes because of trip cutting.

Cuizon said that the penalty of trip cutting is P3,000 per violation.

“Public transport is a public service, so the jeepney drivers must not deprive passengers of their designated routes of the rides that they deserve,” Cuizon said.

Cuizon added that they also apprehended one colorum taxi unit, which is subject to a penalty of P120,000.

“Colorum because it’s an old taxi whose franchise has been sold to another party. In our records, the new owner has replaced it with a new one. But the old one is obviously still roaming the streets as if it’s still a legit unit,” Cuizon explained.

Aside from the colorum taxi unit, a colorum mini bus was also apprehended for a penalty of P1 million. These colorum units will also be impounded for three months which will start from the time of the penalties are paid.

“Enforcement agencies like ours will continue to monitor compliance of this rule. Those caught will be penalized with fines, franchise suspensions and cancellations, if warranted," Cuizon said.

Traffic Code

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera plans to reintroduce before the council his proposed ordinance creating a consolidated traffic code, which has been vetoed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

At a press conference yesterday, Garganera said he will incorporate all the suggestions and recommendations of the mayor in his veto ordinance.

“Og unsa ka chaotic ug unsa ka grabe ang atong traffic diri sa City of Cebu, ingon ana sab ka chaotic ug ka grabe ang atong traffic ordinance,” he told reporters.

The City Ordinance 801 or the Traffic Code of the city was enacted in 1973 yet. Garganera said he has learned that there are more than 60 amendatory ordinances that have been passed since then.

Without consolidating all these traffic measures, it would be difficult for the public to understand the traffic laws of the city, he said.

He said he did not introduce any amendment to these existing ordinances but wanted to consolidate all these laws into one ordinance for it to be easily understood by the public and legislators.

“We tried to consolidate all these ordinances not only for us legislators and the executive (department) but also kitang tanan. I pour all my heart and soul out and my volunteers for this.

This is 60 times better than what we have right now,” he said.

Even if it is not perfect measure, Garganera said the measure would be a good start to collate all the traffic ordinances in the city for easy reference. — JMD (FREEMAN)