DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte questioned the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) decision to extend the operation of non-aircon taxis upon the instigation of House Speaker Prospero Nograles.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" on Sunday, Duterte said what was questionable in the LTFRB memo is that it is only effective in Davao City and not in all parts of the country.
It was learned that the reason stated in the LTFRB circular is for "reduction of unemployment and for poverty alleviation.”
Duterte said such a move would have been a welcome development for non-aircon taxi operators had it been implemented in the entire country and not just in Davao City.
Permit to operate for non-aircon taxis were supposed to have expired by December 31, 2009. But the latest LTFRB memo extended it for another two years.
Duterte accused Nograles as behind the extension as he wanted to get the votes of the taxi drivers and operators in the upcoming May elections.
"Nanaginot ug boto gyud. Wala man na'y problema basta para lang sa kaayuhan sa tanan (They are squeezing out every means to get votes. That would have been no problem had it been for the benefit of all). Equality of laws. Equal tanan, dili lang sa syudad sa Davao (everyone, not just in Davao)," Duterte reasoned out. (BOT)