GOVERNMENT regulators are in office to maintain order and efficiency in the sector that they handle, which often involves services in transportation, communications, energy and the like.
By the nature of their work, regulators are expected to work closely with their clientele to ensure prompt, safe, and efficient service at the right costs, and by “right,” we mean fair amounts to be charged to the public or to the users of the services, while making just enough profit for the business to survive and grow.
Often, the regulator’s task should also involve hearing the problems and ideas coming from the regulated sectors, in order to effect wide acceptance of its policies, leading to voluntary compliance.
An example of a government regulatory policy that encountered rough sailing was the Motor Vehicle Modernization Program that required jeepney drivers and operators to shift to “modern jeepneys” and consolidate their operations into cooperatives. The policy was undertaken supposedly for environmental reasons, and implemented during the last two administrations. After several deadline postponements, we see now a partial compliance with the modernization program, and old jeepneys still plying the routes.
‘… we support the LTFRB initiative to balance the need for enhanced road safety with the realities faced by PUV operators and drivers.’
The Department of Transportation must have learned some lessons in the past, that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Tuesday the temporary suspension of its comprehensive road safety training program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors to allow for further consultations with stakeholders.
The LTFRB is about to require all PUV drivers and conductors to undergo compulsory road safety training as a prerequisite for franchise renewal. The initiative, under Memorandum Circular 2024-040, was designed to reduce road crashes involving PUVs while enforcing stricter adherence to traffic laws.
It was not like the LTFRB adopted this new program without talking to the affected transport sector, particularly bus drivers and operators, haulers and operators of heavy vehicles. The agency has conducted eight consultations, and still issues like the training fees and length of seminars remain.
The agency, which is in charge of giving franchises for public transportation, opted to heed the calls from the transport sector for additional discussions on the implementation of the program.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said they will engage with transport groups and industry experts to refine the training framework, ensuring that the policy is both effective and inclusive. He said while there is a felt need for road safety measures, the concerns of their stakeholders should be heard. He promised that the agency will revise their policy to make it more inclusive, effective and practical for those who will be directly affected.
Almost every day, there is a major road accident in the country involving big trucks, buses and jeepneys. The Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge in Isabela would not have collapsed had the driver of the cargo truck read and followed the DPWH warning sign that he could not use the bridge.
Thus, we support the LTFRB initiative to balance the need for enhanced road safety with the realities faced by PUV operators and drivers.
