Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Transport group assures no fare hike in Cordi
THERE would be no fare increase in the Cordillera region yet, said the local chapter of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers of the Philippines (Fejodap).
Fejodap local president Dionisio Itliong Jr. explained that the Manila chapter of Fejodap had to file a petition for fare increase because of the P50-centavo fare rollback adopted last year.
But with the increase in fuel prices, Itliong said the jeepney operators in Metro Manila had to file yet another petition for a rollback.
In the case of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Itliong said the P7.50 minimum fare could sustain the daily needs of drivers, and commuters could also afford it.
Even the petition for a P15 additional flag down rate for taxis might not be filed here yet, revealed Iltiong who added that local commuters might not be able to afford an additional P15 to the P25 prevailing flag down rate.
Meanwhile, Baguio Councilor Richard Cariño is pushing for the strict use of warning devices prescribed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to avoid accidents resulting from the use of traffic warning devices that do not pass LTO standards.
Cariño said rocks, tree branches, tire and wood should not be used as early warning devices because more often than not, drivers leave them on the road thereby endangering other motorists and even pedestrians.
He stressed only LTO-approved devices should be used as he stressed that this agency of the government has a specific ruling on the use of early warning devices.
"Every motor vehicle should be equipped with at least one pair of early warning device as a requisite for registration," Cariño said quoting Rule 716 of the LTO Letter of Instruction.
But because there is no law that prohibits the use of rocks, tree branches, tire or wood, Cariño proposed for the passage of an ordinance that penalizes violation of the LTO ruling.
He proposed that anyone who would use warning devices that do not pass LTO standards would face a one-month jail term and would be made to pay a fine of P3,000. (RO)
