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Thursday, August 25, 2005
Mayor vetoes legalization of garage van operations
By Rimaliza Opiña
BAGUIO City Mayor Braulio Yaranon has vetoed Resolution 217-2005, which was passed by the City Council earlier, to legalize the operation of garage vans here.
The mayor, in his veto message, said legalizing the operation of garage vans would further congest the city's already narrow roads.
He added that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), to date, has not lifted its issuance of a memorandum circular declaring a moratorium in the granting of additional franchises in the city.
Apart from the directive of the LFTRB, the mayor said there were several resolutions where the past councils have objected to the granting of franchises, the purpose of which was to control the volume of motor vehicles in Baguio.
The City Council, on its August 1 meeting, approved the operation of the Pines Garage Association, the Baguio - Binalonan - San Roque - Carmen Transport Association, the Rosario Express Vans Operators Association, the Cabanatuan Express Van Operators, the Baguio - Urdaneta - Carmen - Cabanatuan Transport Association and the Millennium Transport, subject to conditions that those with parking spaces at Burnham Park shall vacate the area and transfer their parking spaces outside the central business district.
Aside from this, they were also told to first secure a business permit, obtain insurances and make sure that their vehicles should be "roadworthy."
In the event that additional applications are filed before the LTFRB, the City automatically becomes an oppositor to these applications so that compliance with the conditions set by Resolution 217-2005 are strictly enforced.
The City Council committee on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation, which is composed of Councilors Rocky Thomas Balisong, Elmer Datuin and Rufino Panagan, recommended for the legalization of the operation of vans-for-hire here, in consideration to drivers, that as claimed by the committee, purchased their vans without knowledge that their operations are illegal as garage vans are supposed to operate only as vehicles for rent and are not supposed to charge passengers individually.
(August 25, 2005 issue)
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