Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regional director Porfirio Clavel assured transport groups in Bacolod City that no franchise or Certificate of Public Conveyance will be issued to new applicants in the city starting April 15.

Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, and Clavel have agreed to enter into a memorandum of agreement ordering a moratorium on the issuance of franchise new applicants in Bacolod City, during a recent public hearing at City Hall.

However, some members of the transport groups led by the United Drivers and Operators Center and the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association, blamed Clavel for the allegedly rampant issuance of new franchises in the city after it was supposed stopped in 2002.

They presented documents and testimonies alleging that the LTFRB VI was behind the illegal issuance of new franchises in the city including the province.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega said that despite the Department of Transportation and Communication memorandum in 2002 ordering a halt in the issuance of franchises, still there were franchises issued in 2007 and 2008.

The LTFRB revoked the franchises of 150 victims of fake issuances that were under its “legalized program” in 2006, deputy secretary general Nilo Frias said.

The legalization was supposed to cover only the victims of fake or double franchises, but the LTFRB included issuance of new franchise to new applicants in the city and province, especially the big assemblers and body builders, Frias said.

Clavel said the legalization program of the LTFRB was a national program started in 2006. It was applied not only to victims of double or fake franchises but also to new applicants with modern facilities, he said.

Ortega also accused the LTFRB of violating Executive Order 2020 series of 1991, which affirmed the powers of the local government, providing among others that issuances of franchises must be coordinated with the LGU.

An operator from the Estefania Jeepney Operator Drivers Association, also claimed that she has records of some operators in their area who have acquired new franchises by paying as much as P70,000 to P80,000 to LTFRB VI.

Clavel denied allegations that his office has been involved in the issuance of fake or double franchises. He asked the transport groups to give him time to verify their complaints and other documents, like lists of fake franchises which were presented during the hearing.

Meanwhile, Gamboa said he will propose a resolution to the SP for a MOA on a moratorium on the issuance of franchise to new applicants.

He also asked the transport groups to submit all their documents and evidences so they could be studied and their concerns addressed.*CGS

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