LTFRB extends franchise deadline for port-bound trucks to Jan 31

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Trucks_on_RoxasThe Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended the deadline of application for a franchise for trucks with port-related services to January 31 from January 15.

In a text message to PortCalls, LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said all such truck applicants will be issued a provisional authority (PA) to operate until January 31.

“After January 31, we will continue to accept applications but we will not issue PA anymore,” Ginez added.

He noted that the PAs will be valid until the truck operator’s franchise application is approved.

LTFRB extended the deadline to help decongest Manila ports.

Last June, the Department of Transportation and Communications, along with its attached agencies, LTFRB and LTO, issued Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 that increases the fine for colorum (no franchise) trucks to P200,000.

The cargo transport industry appealed for a moratorium on implementation of the JAO since most trucks plying the streets were then still white-plated or without a franchise.

LTFRB then issued PAs to allow trucks to continue operating pending approval of their franchise applications.

Ginez said LTFRB is fast-tracking the processing of these applications, adding that processing is “not more than 45 days from (the time a) case is submitted for decision.”

The latest data from LTFRB showed that 6,703 applications were ready for release while 2,102 were dismissed cases. LTFRB said applicants with port-related services whose cases were dismissed can still file for reconsideration. – Roumina Pablo