PUV OPERATORS. About 200 UV Express van operators gather at Linmarr Apartelle, Lakandula St., Davao City on Tuesday, June 27, where the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation and Communication officials told them regarding the new policies following the suspension of the operations of northbound public utility vans. The suspension was imposed in the wake of a road mishap involving a PUV and a truck that caused the death of 11 persons and injury of seven others this month.(Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Councilor Conrado Baluran said that he will pass a resolution to require installation of speed limiting device to all passenger utility vans operating within the city.
In a press conference held at the Sangguniang Panglungsod, Baluran said that the installation of speed limiters shall serve as “pre-condition” for the issuance of certificate for franchise.
“This is to limit the speed of the units to a maximum of 80 kilometer per hour,” Baluran said. He said that the resolution was one of the results of their consultation with about 110 operators on June 23.
The said measure came after the road mishap on June 14 involving a transport van and a truck at Tibungco in this city which resulted to the instant death of 11 and injured seven other passengers.
“In fact they are the ones (operators) who moved to put speed limiting device on their units because there are really drivers who are so enterprising,” Baluran said.
Davao City has set specific speed limits to different parts of the city for all types of motor vehicles pursuant to the Executive Order No. 39 series of 2013 signed by then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
According to Baluran, another resolution is expected to be passed soon pertaining to the conduct of one-day drivers’ academy wherein drivers will undergo a refresher course and anger management sessions.
He added that he would pass a resolution addressed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to lift the suspension of the operation of the northbound utility van.
PUV Operator Mila Lapas from Mati, Davao Oriental told Davao Today that she is supportive with the actions taken by the government pertaining to the regulations being imposed to them.
She said she makes sure that the hired drivers are trustworthy and are not using prohibited drugs.
“Kanang sa speed limit device sa unit, wala ko’y problema ana. Nagadepende man sad na sa driver. So far sa akong drivers, gitanggal na nako akong mga abusado nga driver,” she said.
Meanwhile LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said that the suspension will be lifted depending on the result of the tagging and the conditions regarding the UV express drivers which is the mandatory drug test.
The tagging process requires inspection of the unit including franchise papers and registration. If the operators are able to comply with all the requirements, a sticker will be given to them and they will be permitted to resume operations on Thursday, he said.
