By Jobert Campos/UM Intern – THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched the first ten premium taxis to ply around Davao City routes.
Martin B. Delgra III, the LTFRB chair, described the event as historic and urged everyone to support this stage in the transportation modernization program.
“This is what we want. A safe, comfortable, convenient, and obviously, kaaya-aya na paglalakbay dito sa siyudad ng Davao (enjoyable ride here in the city of Davao),” he said.
Based on the LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) 2019-032 or the Taxi Modernization Program, these taxi units boast extensive features including free access to the Internet for passengers, a dashboard and occupancy cameras that can record 24 hours of operation, an on-board navigation system or GPS, and automatic collection of fare through cashless cards.
The goal of the Taxi Modernization Program is to assist the tourism industry and also prepare for population expansion.
Davao City currently has 190 counted premium slots that should be filled out of a total of 200. To date, the only franchise awardee is Cymae Transpo OPC, which provided the first 10 of 30 units minimum based on the Memorandum Circular. Davao City is one of only 6 cities with this franchise, which includes Metro Manila and Cebu City.
Mark Steven Pastor, the Department of Transport (DOTr) Usec. For Road Transport and Infrastructure, said, “Tuloy-tuloy lang po ang ating suporta sa bawat isa dahil iyo lamang ang paraan upang mapaunlad po natin ang lungsod ng Davao at ang mode of transport po sa buong bansa (We are continuously supporting each other since this is the only way to improve Davao City and the mode of transportation in the entire country).”
LTFRB-XI regional director Nonito Llanos was also present at the event, along with LTFRB executive director Ma. Kristina Cassion, LTFRB board member Engr. Sherwin Begyan, acting division head Leonardo Y. Pamplona of the Traffic Enforcement and Management Division; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Esguerra, Ms. Mary Ann Villamonte of Cymae Transpo OPC, Cymae Transpo OPC Premium Taxi drivers, and Engr. Ronnel
Victor Panigon of the LTFRB XI PUVMP RPMO. “Under the leadership of RD Dondon, we are very confident that we will complete those 190 units before the end of the administration,” Pastor added. (with reports from LTFRB XI)
