By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado is proposing to penalize the overloading of passengers in public utility vehicles (PUVs).
He said it is about time for the government to step in and resolve the overloading, which according to him, "is deemed a potentially perilous circumstance in daily commuting."
"The most common predicament of the riding public is the overloading of passengers in public thoroughfare. Passengers experience stress in finding an available slot in public transportation and when they do, they experience extreme discomfort due to the overloading of passengers," Sy-Alvarado said.
"This overloading problem is dangerous since it threatens road safety and contributes to fatal accidents not only to public utility vehicles but also the safety of passengers," he added.
Sy-Alvarado filed House Bill 8797 which provides that it shall be unlawful for any driver, conductor, operator, owner, association, company, or similar entity responsible for the operation of a PUV to load passengers beyond the vehicle's carrying capacity.
First-time offenders shall face a fine of P20,000, including the suspension of the franchise of the PUV and the driver's license. For second offense, a fine of P40,000, and suspension of the franchise of the PUV and the driver's license are expected.
For third-time violators, they will be slapped with P100,000 fine and revocation of the franchise and the driver's license.
Within 90 days after the effectivity of the proposed Act, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in consultation with the different public transport companies and associations of operators and drivers of PUVs, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the proposed Act.
After the issuance of IRR, a nationwide information and communication campaign shall be conducted for a period of two months, the bill provides.