Non-confirmation policy on old trucks stays: LTFRB

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ID-100307939The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will continue to implement the non-confirmation year (NCY) policy, a measure designed to phase out old trucks, according to the agency’s spokesperson.

“The direction of the (LTFRB) Board is that they will not suspend the NCY….because although we acknowledge the importance of the trucking sector, the government also has the duty and responsibility to ensure that all trucks on the road are roadworthy,” said Atty. Mary Anne Salada, LTFRB public information officer.

Salada, who spoke on the matter at the 2nd Cargo Transport Forum conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on September 28, said that LTFRB recognizes the role of the trucking sector in keeping the Philippine economy afloat, and that LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez acknowledges that the age of a truck is not an “absolute indication of roadworthiness.”

That is why, she noted, LTFRB earlier issued Board Resolution (BR) No. 06-2015 to allow truck operators no longer permitted to confirm or renew their registration under the NCY policy in 2014 to re-apply and prove their truck is still roadworthy. LTFRB said BR 06-2015 is their compromise deal with truckers while waiting for the DOTC secretary to decide on the proposed phase-out of trucks more than 15 years of age.

READ: LTFRB strikes compromise on registration of ‘old’ trucks

Truckers have been opposing the planned phase-out and requesting a moratorium on the NCY policy as they argued that around 80% of the country’s current truck fleet are more than 15 years old. They said roadworthiness, not the age of truck, should be the basis for securing a franchise.

Truckers, in position papers sent to LTFRB, asked for government assistance in re-fleeting. LTFRB, in turn, asked truckers for their own criteria of what makes a truck roadworthy.

READ: PH truckers seek 5-year moratorium on proposed 15-year truck age limit

Under the NCY policy, trucks aged 26 and above are allowed to be confirmed for only one year. Trucks 21 to 25 years old can be confirmed for two years, those aged 10 to 20 for three years, units aged 11 to 15 for four years, and trucks aged 10 and below for five years.

Teodorico Gervacio, president of Inland Haulers and Truckers Association (formerly Integrated North Harbor Truckers Association), during the same forum reiterated their call for government to issue a 10-year moratorium on the NCY policy and help truckers re-fleet.

Ricardo Papa, president of the Alliance of Concerned Trucks Owners and Organizations, noted that trucks, unlike passenger buses or jeepneys that make constant stops, only go from one point to another to fulfil deliveries. He added that the Land Transportation Office’s Motor Vehicle Inspection System should be used to inspect trucks properly and not be used as another venue for corruption.

DOTC and attached agency LTFRB have yet to issue a final decision on the phase-out of trucks aged more than 15 years.

DOTC assistant secretary Dante Lantin told PortCalls after the forum that LTFRB is receptive to the recommendations of truckers, but added that truckers should “also have to come up with their own criteria for road worthiness” if they want the franchising to be based on the condition of trucks. – Roumina Pablo

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