COUNCILORS from Quezon City have passed a resolution urging the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to lift its moratorium and accept new applications for certificates of public convenience, or public utility vehicle franchises.
The move is designed to curb the proliferation of unregistered vehicles and address the reported violations of overloading and public transport shortage, the council resolution said.
The 38-member city council unanimously approved Resolution No. SP-6978, S-2017 that seeks to rescind LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2003-028.
The disputed LTFRB circular ordered a nationwide moratorium on the acceptance of new applications or petitions for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience, except truck-for-hire services, to give way for the updating of records at the bureau and to ensure the integrity and consistency of data recording of its route rationalization program.
But through the resolution, the city council said it is confident the long wait for the result of the program should be put to an end.
“Moreover, the move shall also give legitimate transport operators an opportunity to earn more in return,” it added.
Mayor Herbert Bautista is optimistic the lifting of the LTFRB moratorium would somehow tone down the operations of non-franchised jeepneys, buses and taxis, not just in Quezon City but throughout the country.