Transport groups push for new LTO-LTFRB project

MANILA, Philippines - Public transport groups expressed their full support to a move by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to set up a “franchise confirmation uploading facility (FCUF)” to prevent the renewal of registration or franchise to out-of-line or “colorum” public utility vehicles.

Leaders of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), the United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK), and Pasang Masda said the FCUF would be an effective mechanism that will stop the proliferation of “colorum” jeepneys or buses.

Efren de Luna, ACTO president, hailed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for issuing the order that allowed the establishment of the FCUF. “We believe that a more aggressive approach from the government is needed to solve this problem,” he said.

Obet Martin, president of Pasang Masda, said they have noted that the lack of connectivity between the LTO and LTFRB’s systems enabled erring operators to get their vehicles’ registration or franchise renewed with the help of unscrupulous LTO and LTFRB personnel.

It was learned that the LTO-LTFRB’s FCUF will be made possible by the interconnection of the LTO and LTFRB’s systems database and allow them to “transact anywhere” to have their vehicle registration and franchise renewed.

Lawyer Vigor Mendoza, chairman of 1-UTAK, said it was high time that the two agencies are interconnected. He said that the project will not entail any additional costs for operators and drivers since the fees will reportedly be imposed on the insurance companies.