THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will look into the request of Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag to review all franchises of Utility Vehicle (UV) Express vans after receiving various complaints.
LTFRB chief Martin Delgra III said he instructed the LTFRB-Davao to conduct an immediate investigation.
“Daghan gyu’ng pasaway ug kaskasero nga UV Express vans sa mga niaging tuig (There are a lot of erring and reckless UV Express Van drivers in the past years),” Delgra said during the Tsuper Iskolar launching last Friday, May 3.
In 2017, Delgra ordered a temporary suspension of north-bound UV Express vans, following a road mishap between an over speeding van and a truck along KM 21, near crossing Mahayag-Buhisan, killing 11 passengers and leaving nine injured.
Despite lifting the ban after a series of dialogue between the LTFRB and van operators and drivers, accidents involving these vans continue to surface on media reports.
However, Delga did not state if another temporary suspension is being considered.
When asked if majority of UV Express Vans involved in accidents are registered, he answered “I hope so”.
“Kay hantod karon, padayon gihapon ta gapanakop og mga colorum nga mga driver (Up until now, we are still apprehending drivers of colorum vehicles),” Delgra said.
Recently, LTFRB partnered with other government agencies for Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-Act), a one-stop-shop for enforcers against traffic violations, including illegal parking, illegally operating public utility vehicles and terminals, especially UV Express Vans within the areas of Davao City and the provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Compostela Valley.
On Al-ag’s request for random drug testing, Delgra said the agency had been continuously doing it.
He said they had been in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to ensure all drivers and conductors are free from illegal substance. (RGL)