Jeepney group asks DOTr to allow transfer of ownership due to no contact apprehension policy

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) on Sunday appealed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its sectoral offices to allow them to transfer the ownership of the units they no longer own amid the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, FEJODAP president Ricardo "Boy" Rebaño welcomed the implementation of NCAP in several cities in Metro Manila as it disciplines the motorists when it comes to traffic rules and regulations.

However, he said that the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should consider the reopening of the transfer of ownership of public utility vehicles to the new operators so they will be the ones held accountable for any violations.

“Ang masakit pa dito, wala tayong transfer of ownership. Ang nape-penahan po ‘yung dating may-ari na wala namang pananagutan. ‘Yun sana ang isa sa pag-aralan nila na magkaron ho, buksan ho ulit, at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ‘yung mga bagong operator na mai-transfer na sa kanila para naman ‘yung dating operator ay ‘wag nang maabala na,” Rebaño said.

“Itong pamunuan ng DOTr, LTFRB, at lalo na LTO, sana po bigyan nila ng pagkakataon itong mga driver at operator na buksan ho ulit nila ‘yung pagta-transfer ng kanilang mga unit para ang mapipinsala dito at dapat papanagutin natin ay ‘yung bagong operator kung talagang may kasalanan,” he added.

(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… 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.)

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Task Force Special Operations Chief Bong Nebrija said the implementation of NCAP at the local government unit (LGU) level allows authorities to apprehend motorists who are violating simple moving violations such as beating the red light, crossing the pedestrian lane, and wrong lane while turning.

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.

Rollback

Further, Rebaño welcomed the expected big-time fuel price rollback next week, saying that it will be a big help for jeepney drivers and operators. He, however, said that they still hope the fuel prices will further go down to P50 per liter.

An oil industry source told GMA News Online on Friday that a price per liter of diesel may be reduced by P1.70 to P2.00 per liter in the coming week.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, may be slashed by P1.50 to P1.80 per liter.

“Maraming salamat po dahil sa patuloy na nakikita namin na patuloy na bumababa ang petroleum products. Nagpapasalamat kami ng maraming marami (We’re thankful that the petroleum products continue to decrease),” Rebaño said. —KG, GMA News