LTFRB’s no apprehension truck policy extended by another month

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ID-10034091The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended to August 29 its no apprehension policy on freight trucks without a franchise.

LTFRB Board Resolution No. 5-2014, signed on July 21, decreed the month-long extension on the moratorium on apprehension of freight trucks with green plates. An earlier memo adopted a moratorium covering the June 28 to July 28 period.

The latest resolution came after consultation with other government agencies, representatives from the business sector and freight truck operators, according to the LTFRB. It took into consideration the effect apprehension will have on unfranchised truck operators that will have to stop operations, in turn affecting the country’s trade.

The policy, added LTFRB, is necessary to give prospective applicants time to file their franchise applications.

Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines president Ruperto Bayocot called the extension “a good move” by LTFRB.

He told PortCalls that at present, 40% of the industry’s trucks have not yet filed for a franchise.

Under the latest resolution, applications for provisional authority to operate pending application for a franchise will only be accepted until August 22. After that date no applications will be given a provisional authority.

The provisional authority to operate is valid only until October 17.

The push to suspend apprehensions followed Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 signed by the Department of Transportation and Communications, the LTFRB and Land Transportation Office which jacked up the fine on unfranchised trucks to P200,000. – Roumina Pablo

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