LTFRB’S RESTRICTIVE POLICY CITED

BUS operators plying Pangasinan-NCR route still refuse to use of the North Luzon Expressway Terminal (NLET) in Bocaue, Bulacan because Land Transportation  Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will not allow their units to enter National Capital Region where their respective terminals are located.

They conveyed their sentiment during a dialogue moderated by Governor Amador Espino III on December 17, attended by LTFRB Regional Director Narusdin Talipasan and other stakeholders, including the commuting public.

Talipasan confirmed that the use of NLET’s facilities is still free but bus companies are holding back since they are still not allowed to enter Metro Manila.

The dialogue was attended by employees of the different bus companies, many of who were laid off when the buses stopped serving Pangasinan-Metro Manila routes.

Governor Espino called the dialogue to determine reasons behind the continued non-operation of  provincial buses that forced riding public, to avail of colorum van operations that charges P1,700 per head each way, instead of usual P400 plus fare.

Provincial Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued pointed out buses from Regions II and III are also affected by LTFRB policy that directs provincial buses to load and offload their passengers at NLET in Bocaue.

Baniqued said that as early as December 2020, Governor Espino expressed support for the immediate resumption of trips, Pangasinan-Metro Manila routes but this complicated further by LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular 2021-009 on March  2021, restricting access of buses to Metro Manila, and requiring use of NLET only.

She said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution asking LTFRB to allow local transportation companies to enter Metro Manila and use their respective terminals.

LTFRB’s memorandum invoked the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases resolution that backed the policy to support the government’s campaign vs the pandemic.

The bus companies said the IATF resolution is already outdated because both Pangasinan and NCR are already on Alert Level 2.

Anton Kho, legal officer of Victory Liner, argued that buses still need to enter Metro Manila because the terminals are where the barracks of their employees and their maintenance  facilities are located, and where they refuel for the trips.

Gov. Espino said Talispasan vowed to bring all the issues raised during the dialogue to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) central office for is final decision.

“Director Talipasan has his own bosses in Manila. I too, have my own bosses to serve—the people of Pangasinan,” Gov. Espino said (Leonardo Micua)

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