Baguio dads deny legalization of irregular vehicle franchises

By Glaisa San Gabriel and Geraldine Solicfian

BAGUIO CITY -- The city council disapproved a proposal to legalize illegal vehicle franchises during their March 7 meeting here without casting a single vote.

Earlier, councilor Richard Cariño proposed “legalization of irregular and illegal franchises of public utility vehicles in Baguio City and Cordillera Administrative Region, subject to conditions.”

The measure apparently addressed innocent purchasers of Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board certificates of public convenience victimized by fixers resulting to the “kabit system.”

Under the kabit system, several public utility vehicles (PUVs) are registered under one CPC, resulting into the proliferation of illegal franchises.

Lawyer James Valeros who said he advocated approval of the measure, in a Dec. 14, 2009 letter to the council, revealed there are about 3,000 illegal franchises issued by LTFRB but only around 700-signified intention to have their spurious CPCs legalized.

As early as 1992, the city government had been asking the LTFRB to suspend issuance of new taxi franchises.

Since then, various resolutions, about 13, all urging LTFRB to suspend the issuance of franchises were passed.

However, taxis continued to proliferate despite moratorium suspending the issuance of franchises issued by the LTFRB as early as January 10, 1996 via its memo circular 96-002.

Records showed, through the years, Valeros had been one of the more consistent advocates against proliferation of illegal CPCs in the city, pointing out alleged irregularities committed by LTFRB.

There are about 28,000 private vehicles registered in the city of Baguio according to reports from the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of Baguio, Benguet and La Union.

On top of this, there are about 4,000 PUVs with perfect franchises.

During the council discussion, there was dissent from councilors regarding the proposal.

Councilor Fred Bagbagen who chairs the council committee on public transport expressed doubts onthe committee report saying, “Is it possible to legitimize illegal franchises?”

He declared: “It is not proper for the council to become a vehicle for the legalization of illegal franchises.”

During council discussions, he added environmental concerns should likewise be considered in whether or not the measure should be approved.

Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia said, “It is as if we are agreeing to illegal acts if we were to approve the measure.”

Further discussions on the matter were suspended until the next session.