Las Pinas asks for moratorium on issuance of new franchises to public utility vehicles plying Alabang-Zapote Road; Hoping this will ease traffic in the city

From Philippine Information Agency:

QUEZON CITY, July 18 (PIA) — The Las Piñas City (LPC) local government unit called the attention of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to request for a moratorium on the issuance of new franchises to public utility vehicles (PUVs) traveling along the Zapote-Alabang road to improve and ease the traffic situation in the city.

In a statement, the Las Piñas City Traffic Management Office said more than 70,000 vehicles pass through Zapote-Alabang Road daily, which contributed to the worsening traffic situation. Thus, the road capacity of the city’s main thoroughfare can no longer accommodate the present volume of vehicles as stated by the Traffic Management Office.

To address the traffic problem, City Mayor Imelda Aguilar ordered Traffic Police Chief Albert Arevalo to ban and apprehend drivers of colorum buses, UV express, and jeepneys along the said road.

Moreover, Task Force Ayos Trapiko was created composed of Traffic Management Office, Legal Office, Engineering Department, Planning Department and the City Council.

Task Force Ayos Trapiko was directed to strictly enforce traffic rules and the apprehension of violators such as jay walking, trip cutting, no loading and unloading, traffic obstruction and ban of tricycle on major roads.

“We have to enforce the law and instill discipline among the drivers and commuters to improve the traffic problem in the city, otherwise, traffic situation will just worsen,” Aguilar stated in the release.

Las Piñas LGU also tapped the Barangay Tanod (watchmen), and clean and green volunteers for the campaign against jay walking to help the traffic enforcers in enforcing rules along the main thoroughfare and inner roads to discipline the erring drivers and commuters.

Mayor Aguilar also stated that Task Force Ayos Trapiko is ready to have an audience with LTFRB chairman, Atty. Martin Delgra III, to explain the city’s worsening traffic situation in the city. Furthermore, the city government will request LTFRB for a copy of the actual list of franchises issued in Las Piñas City. (LAS PINAS/RJB/MAPA/PIA-NCR)