Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Cab operators complain about ‘illegal’ franchises
THE Metro Cebu Taxi Operators’ Association (MCTOA) will not ask for a fare increase because their main problem in Cebu is not the increasing price of fuel, but the allegedly illegal issuance of some franchises.
MCTOA chairman Richard Cabucos recalled that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) declared a moratorium on the issuance of taxi franchises in early 2006.
At that time, the LTFRB recorded 4,432 taxi units running in Cebu. But instead of staying the same or dropping, the number ballooned to 5,140 as of October 2007.
“We were surprised to see the latest count, which exceeded by 708 units (the record when the moratorium began),” Cabucos said.
He added that when they investigated, they found out that Rogelio “Jingjing” Osmeña, whose term as director ended last April 20, 2007, signed and approved the franchises.
The procedure in the issuance of franchises includes a hearing by the LTFRB, Cabucos said.
If, after the hearing, the hearing officer finds out that everything is in order, the application will be endorsed for approval.
For the taxi franchise applications at LTFRB 7, the hearing officer is lawyer Carmen Misal.
“My first question is: How come Misal conducted hearings on new taxi franchise applications when there is an existing moratorium? Why did Misal endorse them to Osmeña for approval when he is no longer an official of LTFRB? Why is (Acting LTFRB Director Rey) Elnar tolerating all these illegal acts?” Cabucos said.
Cabucos has urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate Misal, Elnar and Osmeña.
He alleged that the issuance of illegal franchises to taxis happened from May to October 2007, when Osmeña was already out of service but continued to office at LTFRB 7. (EOB)
