Though these days absent from many Senate sessions due to her battle with the Big “C,” Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is ever-present in championing the causes of the public; in this case, the Filipino commuters.
On Monday, Santiago said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is to blame for the congested state of traffic on Katipunan Avenue, as well as on portions of C-5 Road. Both of these roads are important routes in Metro Manila.
Santiago referenced LTFRB’s recent directives as the reasons for the insufferable traffic conditions, saying that these orders are opposed to economic development.
“It seems that these issuances violate the Aquino administration’s policies for economic development,” she added.
She likewise called on the Senate to investigate the directives of the LTFRB, commenting that they are damaging to the safety of public transport.
Santiago was referring to the transport agency’s issuances to suspend the crackdown on “colorum” buses and deviant operators. It has likewise given permission to public utility vehicles to alter their routes and ply major roads from June 19 to October 17.
“These issuances also defeat the purpose of the establishment of the Integrated Transport System to decongest traffic in Metro Manila and to restrict provincial buses and other unauthorized public utility vehicles from entering EDSA,” Santiago said.
LTFRB denies the allegations, saying that it neither completely lifted the truck ban issued by the Metro Manila Development Authority, nor did it indicate Katipunan and C-5 as thoroughfares for public utility vehicles.
Santiago remained unmoved, and pointed out that that the suspension of operations versus wayward bus operations “would only legalize and spur the proliferation of unauthorized vehicles, which is inimical to the country’s economic development.”
The senator also came against an LTFRB resolution granting a “No Apprehension Policy”, from July 29 to August 29, of trucks-for-hire (with green plates) as she noted that the policy has increased both truck volume and travel time along Commonwealth Avenue.
“LTFRB’s logic escapes me. Allowing these trucks to ply our roads when they are still securing the necessary paperwork in the name of trade and commerce is a flimsy excuse. This is LTFRB failing in their basic regulatory functions,” Santiago said.