ILOILO City – Before apprehending public utility vehicle drivers for not wearing face shield or facemask, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) should first define reckless driving.
“Pamangkuton ta sila,” said Raymundo Parcon of Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA).
He revealed their intention to write the LTO central office a position paper seeking clarification.
“Sa pagkabalo namon sang reckless driving, amo na kung overspeeding, hubog, haras-haras ukon naga-cellphone ka nga driver,” Parcon asserted.
Since Aug. 15, 26 jeepney drivers here have been penalized by agents of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for not wearing face shield. They were made to pay a P2,000 fine for reckless driving.
However, Parcon described this policy as anti-poor.
“May epidemya pa kita tapos dugangan pa ang problema sang aton mga jeepney drivers. Tani maluoy kamo sa driver naton,” he lamented.
So who is a reckless driver?
As defined under Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), a driver is considered reckless when he or she drives a vehicle without any reasonable caution.
This includes not considering traffic situation, road width, crossing or pedestrian, curves, grades, visibility, and any other highway, weather, and atmospheric conditions.
The penalty for first offense is P2,000; P3,000 and suspension of driver’s license for a period of 3 months for second offense; P10,000 and suspension of driver’s license for a period of 6 months for third offense; and P10,000 and revocation of driver’s license for subsequent offense.
Aside from ICLAJODA, the Federation of Western Visayas Transport Cooperative will also file a petition before the LTO.
Progressive group Panay Alliance-Karapatan described the memorandum circular as inappropriate.
“Wala man sang layi nga nagakabig nga krimen ang indi pagsuksok sang face shield kag maathag wala ini nalakip sa offense nga reckless driving,” Reylan Vergara, Secretary-General of the group said.
Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), in its regular session on Aug. 18, passed a resolution seeking clarification from LTO and LTFRB regarding their memorandum by holding a dialogue with the two traffic transport agencies./PN
