The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its sectoral offices should allow public utility jeepney owners and operators to transfer the ownership of units they no longer own amid the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), one of the country’s biggest jeepney groups said Sunday.
In a radio interview, Ricardo “Boy” Rebaño, president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), welcomed the enforcement of NCAP in several cities in Metro Manila as it disciplines the motorists on traffic rules and regulations.
However, Rebano said the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should consider reopening the transfer of ownership of public utility vehicles to their new operators so they will be the ones held accountable for any violations.
“What’s more painful here is that we don’t have a transfer of ownership. The former owner who has no responsibility is being fined. Authorities should look at it, reopen it, and give the new operators a chance to transfer to them the ownership so that the former operators will not be bothered anymore,” he told Super Radyo dzBB.
“I hope the DOTr, LTFRB, and especially the LTO will give these drivers and operators an opportunity to reopen the transfer of their units so that the ones who will be penalized and be held accountable are the new operators,” he added.
The non-contact apprehensions at the local government level allows authorities to apprehend motorists who are violating simple moving violations such as beating the red light, crossing the pedestrian lane, and using the wrong lane while turning, Bong Nebrija, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Task Force Special Operations Chief, said.
Nebrija hoped that more LGUs aside from Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, and Parañaque City would implement the NCAP to deter motorists from committing traffic violations.
Meanwhile, Rebaño welcomed the expected big-time fuel price rollback next week, saying it will be a big help for FEJODAP’s drivers and operators.
They still hope fuel prices will go further down to P50 per liter.
“We’re thankful that the petroleum products continue to decrease,” Rebaño said.
