Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Land transport chief urges PB to 'do its share' By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
A LAND Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) official urged Provincial Board members Tuesday to help promote safe transportation in Iloilo.
Porfirio Clavel, LTFRB regional director, stood before PB members and made his request.
He blamed government's failure to provide a better road network for the accident in Igbaras that killed over 40 persons.
What the Provincial Government can do is to tap the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is tasked with creating viable roads, to widen those in far-flung barangays so it could accommodate vehicles that are bigger than motorcycles.
The single motorcycle for hire commonly called "skylab", the common mode of transport to far-flung areas, is not registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). This is because the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has not assigned a classification for motorcycles for hire.
Clavel said his office has no jurisdiction over the regulation of the vehicle. It should be under the consideration of the municipal councils in case of towns, he said.
He also suggested that the PB elevate the matter to the DILG, which could schedule a meeting with the secretary of the DOTC to discuss the problem.
He said he had started a similar initiative a long time ago but it was not acted on.
The PB on Tuesday activated its transportation committee with Angel Briones as chairman.
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