Desperate operators of  public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying the Downtown-Loop Service (DOLOSA) hailed a recent resolution by the Sangguniang Panlungsod asking the Land Transportation Franchising and  Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to resume  issuance of franchises to them.

Res. No. 5502-2006 sought to clarify the confusion created by an earlier resolution that led to the suspension of the issuance of franchises.

The new resolution called on the LTFRB specifically to issue franchises or extend franchises and permits to the remaining 208 units servicing DOLOSA which were suspended by the agency for two years.

LTFRB said they stopped issuing franchises, banking on a previous resolution of the SP which they understood to be seeking phase out of all downtown PUJ units.

Earlier, Councilor Vlad Mata said LTFRB misunderstood the previous resolution, clarifying that the same only sought the regulation of issuance of franchises and not the stoppage of the issuance of franchises.

Mata said that Res. No. 5502-2006 manifested a great demand for more public PUVs to operate 24hours a day, the city being the center of trade and commerce in the region.

He said there is also a need to service students attending night classes and employees working on night shifts.

To date, there are 32 PUJ units under DOLOSA with expired franchises, needing renewal from the LTFRB.

It was learned that some operators have already paid their corresponding franchise application fees but the franchises have been withheld on account.

He maintained that a few more PUVs added will not pose a major problem on the main thoroughfares in the city, he said. – AQL

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