THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Davao Region warned anew the operators and drivers of the public vans on overloading passengers, as this entails heavy penalties if they found violating such rules.
LTFRB-Davao director Teresita dela Peña-Yñiguez issued such statement following the repeated complaints of the riding public on overloaded passenger vans plying around the region. She said overloading is strictly prohibited.
Lawyer Yñiguez said the franchises issued to all passenger vans, jeepneys, and buses clearly specify the number of passengers that should only be accommodated, inclusive of the driver, for the passengers to have comfortable and safe travel.
"Matagal na natin pinagbabawal ang overloading sa lahat ng depasaherong sasakyan. Overloading which is common practice among public utility vehicles is considered a gross violence of the franchise issued to operators," Yñiguez said.
Under existing rules and regulations, operators of any public utility vehicles found to be overloading will be imposed a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, while drivers will also be meted a fine of P1,000 for the first offense among others.
Among the common overloading, practices include allowing excess passengers to ride on top of vehicle and additional board to be seated by excess passengers, and/or allowing the passengers to stand on the rear portion of the vehicles.
The LTFRB-Davao, Yñiguez said, has encouraged the public to report those who will violate the overloading policy. She added that they cannot tolerate such practice, as the agency means business in the enforcement of the existing rules.