Monday, July 09, 2007 Ex-councilor named Cordillera’s regional transpo dep’t chief By Rimaliza Opiña
FORMER Baguio City councilor Federico Mandapat Jr. was officially named the regional director of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last June 29.
He took his oath last Wednesday in Malacañang. Mandapat takes over the DoTC-CAR following the resignation of former Regional Director Alfredo Mondiguing last January.
Mandapat's appointment came after Ermita announced that some 115 appointees from 43 government-owned and controlled corporations and four agencies under the Office of the President have tendered their courtesy resignations.
Meanwhile, the local chapter of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) would schedule a dialogue with Mandapat for a discussion of issue concerning the approval of franchises despite the existing moratorium on the processing of certificates of public conveniences (CPC).
"We are elated that a Baguio boy got the post at least he knows what's going on here," Fejodap president Dionisio Itliong Jr. told Sun.Star on Sunday.
Among issues that the Fejodap intends to discuss with the new director is the system of application for CPCs being followed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
With the ongoing implementation of the moratorium, Itliong said only the dropping and substitution of units should be processed by the LTFRB.
For this reason, he said policies on the City Council endorsements for the opening of new lines have to be studied.
The eradication of unregistered or colorum vehicles and monitoring of compliance on CPCs issued to school service vehicles and vans for hire also have to be checked, Itliong added.
