PHILIPPINE truckers are positive the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will grant their request to extend the age limit of trucks registering with the board.
However, the group that represents the truckers says they will have to wait three to six months for the transport regulator’s final decision.
“They might grant (our petition) because we truckers don’t carry passengers,” Ruperto Bayocot, president of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP), told PortCalls in a text message.
Bayocot was referring to the LTFRB’s pending memorandum disallowing trucks more than 15 years of age to be issued a certificate of public convenience. The implementation of the memo is on hold following representation by CTAP; the association wants the truck age limit extended to 30 years because many trucks used in the country are in that age range or even older.
“We will wait for three to six months for the decision,” Bayocot said, noting it normally takes the LTFRB that long to decide.
If implemented as is, the memo would affect 40% of trucks owned by CTAP members, Bayocot said.
Bayocot said some well-maintained trucks, while 30 years of age, are still in good running condition. Still, he encouraged CTAP members who can afford to replace their units to do so.
Recently, the Court of Appeals issued a ruling upholding the LTFRB’s implementation of a circular phasing out public utility vehicles that are 13 years of age or older.
Image courtesy of Fireflyphoto/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
