Zubiri seeks lifting of moratorium on new PUJs, public vans

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

BUKIDNON Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri has asked Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to lift the moratorium on the issuance of certificates of public convenience to operate additional public jeepneys and vans in Region 10.

Zubiri, chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), said that while the Dec. 2, 2003 moratorium was issued as a measure to address the huge traffic problem in Metro Manila, it has adversely affected  provinces in Region 10.

Zubiri said Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin are “in dire need of safe, regulated, accessible, convenient and adequate public land transportation for further development.”

He said it cannot be addressed properly due to the moratorium.

Zubiri sent the same request to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III on Friday.

He blamed the rampant proliferation of “colorum” public vehicles on the moratorium.

Zubiri said the “colorums” affect taxes due to governments, adding that the increase in the number of such vehicles in Northern Mindanao has become very alarming.

“In the province of Bukidnon alone, ‘colorum’ public vehicles [are] very rampant, and as the provincial governor of Bukidnon and as chairman of the RDC, I would like to appeal to you to assist us to rid Bukidnon and Region 10, as a whole, of colorum public utility vehicles,” the governor stated.

He said some of the “colorum” public vehicle operators are very willing to legitimize their operations by securing certificates of public convenience if the LTFRB would only allow it.