CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Bohol will create a task force that will run after abusive drivers and colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs). Gov. Aris Aumentado recently led a transport forum where issues surrounding transportation and tourism services were tackled. “We conducted a transport forum to address the issues hounding the transport groups because even me personally, I am already concerned because it affects our tourism in the province,” said Aumentado. The forum was attended by officials from the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Tourism, and stakeholders from the transportation and tourism sectors.
THE provincial government of Bohol led by Gov. Aris Aumentado recently held a transport forum to tackle issues involving the province’s transportation and tourism sectors. (Contributed photo)

Aumentado said among the issues discussed were the overcharging of some tour vans and tour buses and the presence of colorum vehicles operating in the province. The governor admitted that some registered vans or tour buses are charging exorbitant fees. “We received reports that some tourist vans and buses are overcharging. There are colorum vehicles which some tourists see as advantageous to them because they can haggle for a lesser rate. There are registered vehicles but are charging a higher rate. Colorum vehicles are charging a lesser rate but if accidents happen, that would be a big problem,” Aumentado said. One of the measures that was agreed during the forum was to create a task force that will run after unregistered vehicles and abusive drivers. The purpose of the creation of the task force is to help ensure that tour vans and tour buses will register with the LTFRB. “The task force will confiscate the licenses of those driving colorum vehicles,” said Aumentado. To prevent over charging, the task force will ensure that fare matrix will be posted in public transportation vehicles including tricycles. Identification cards of the drivers must also be displayed in every PUVs. “They should display their IDs so that when there are complaints, the task force can easily take action. The passenger will only have to submit the picture of the ID of the subject of the complaints,” said Aumentado. The governor said before the task force will make apprehensions or confiscation of licenses, a massive information drive will be conducted first. “Before we make apprehensions, we will inform them first of the program. We will conduct a public hearing so they will be knowledgeable. We have to let them know that if they have no franchise, they don’t have a route, they are operating illegally,” the governor said. The governor also asked local government units in Bohol to create a road route map plan as part of the solution to solve transport problems in the province. “The LGUs will be the ones to create a road route map plan. It will be passed to the provincial board then the province will then pass it to the LTFRB. Sad to say, some LGUs could not comply because they don’t have enough road infrastructure yet but we will help them solve that,” said Aumentado. Aumentado also announced that the province is partnering with LTO for an upcoming caravan of services where application or renewal of driver’s license or vehicle registration will be available.