DOTC to pursue reforms in land transport sector

Saturday 7th of July 2012

MANILA, July 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communication is mapping out plans to institutionalize tranparency and accountability in the land transportation sector.

Transport Secretary Mar Roxas III, in a meeting with land transport stakeholders at the DOTC headquarters, said he wanted to eliminate the "culture of patronage and corruption" that has riddled the transportation sector for years.

Roxas told leaders of different PUV drivers’ and operators’ associations in the country that DOTC will continue with the reforms in the land transport sector it started one year after he assumed leadership. These reforms will continue to be directed toward a more open and transparent implementation of land transport regulations.

Among the transport groups that attended the meeting were Piston, Pejodap, Ltop, Pasang Masda, Altodap, Acto, Ptap, NCTU, and Stop & Go.

Roxas said there will be more changes as he enters his second year as head of the department, and will find the best ways, through the help of the PUV organizations, in ensuring success of the projects the department had rolled out during the last 12 months.

One area is in the process of issuing franchises. He said the department was headed towards the setting up of an objective mechanism for the granting of franchises to eliminate corruption and the elements of subjectivity, like the patronage system.

He reiterated that whenever there would be available franchises or need to issue new franchises, these would be bidded out so only the company or group that can give the best deal for the government and the public, can get it.

Soon the public will likewise witness the institution of a new policy that transport franchises cannot be arbitrarily sold and bought like any ordinary commodity in the market. (DOTC/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)