Strict regulation of fare in Siargao sought

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

Butuan City — The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) here revealed that they are looking into the strict implementation in the regulation of transport services in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. 

“There should be a strict implementation in the regulation of fare, on the licensing of a transport franchise operation,” said  Maria Kristina E. Cassion, OIC regional director of LTFRB Caraga Region.

“The way I see it Siargao Island is supposed to be our showcase to the world, but it’s like a ticking bomb waiting to explode, there are so many problems in the islands public transport sector, especially on our fare regulation, their authority to transport passengers and other issues that should be addressed,” she added.

Cassion pointed out that during the visit of the LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III a few weeks ago in Siargao, the transport official was shocked at rates the van operators were asking their passengers.

“When our chairman came out of the airport he noticed that there were many private van’s waiting for passengers, he was shocked to learn that they were asking Php 300.00 fare, that’s from Sayak Airport in Del Carmen to General Luna, that’s roughly about 29.5 kilometers or about 43 minutes,” said Cassion.

“The fare needs to be regulated and we also found out that the majority of these vehicles did not have transport franchise to operate.”

Cassion added that LTFRB will give the public utility vehicles until August 15 to abide by the mandatory safety and security measures on the vehicles and then register and get their transport franchise. 

Ana Nuguid, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Region pointed out that the problem of fare regulation in the island has been going on for a while and that they have been receiving complaints from tourists.

“These are really an important issue in Siargao Island, we need to fix this problem with regards to transport. But we really need to converge on this as the DOT and the LTFRB cannot solve this problem by ourselves, together with other line agencies, we hope to implement transport regulations in the island,” said Nuguid.

Nuguid points out that there had been a lot of complaints from tourists, from the locals and even from their personnel, had been victims of the over pricing.

Both the DOT and LTFRB officials have expressed that they are both eager and optimistic for a quick solution as before the year ends, an express public utility vehicle will be launched in to cater several routes within Siargao island.