THE Philippine trucking industry is likely to face a new dilemma if the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) proceeds with a plan to disallow registration of trucks older than 15 years.
The LTFRB is planning to issue a memorandum circular barring trucks more than 15 years old from being registered, Ruperto Bayocot, president of the Confederation of Truckers Associations of the Philippines told PortCalls at the sidelines of the 7th CTAP Golf Tournament held last week.
The memo has been drafted but its implementation is on hold pending a decision on CTAP’s request for reconsideration of the truck age limit and its extension to 30 years, Bayocot said.
He said CTAP is seeking the extension as many of today’s trucks are in that age range and even older. He said once the memo is implemented, 40% of CTAP’s trucks will be affected and many will be classified as “dilapidated”.
Recently, the Court of Appeals issued a ruling allowing the LTFRB to implement its circular phasing out public utility vehicles that are 13 years old or older.
Bayocot said some well-maintained trucks, while 30 years of age, are still in good running condition. Still, he encourages CTAP members who can afford to do so, to closely look at replacement.
He said the confederation would meet Sept. 2 with the LTFRB to discuss the case.
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