Rama Wants ‘Rolling Coffins’ Prohibited

Mayor Michael Rama has requested the officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to prohibit the “rolling coffins” from operating in public roads as one way to solve the traffic problem caused by the heavy volumes of vehicles.

The mayor is against to the suggestion that old models of vehicles shall no longer be allowed to travel public roads. He said there are several old model vehicles that are still in good running condition.

Rama revealed that until now, he still kept his first vehicle, a Volkswagen, that he had bought from his own savings a few years after he became a lawyer in 1983. Although he is no longer using the vehicle, Rama said it is still in good running condition.

“Dili maayo nga dili na ipagamit ang mga old model nga sakyanan kay mao ra intawon kana ang maabot sa mga pobre, but kinahanglan nga atimanon lang ‘sab g’yud sa mga tag-iya,” the mayor said.

Vehicles in Central Visayas

The latest statistics of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) showed that there are now 652,828 assorted types of vehicles registered in Central Visayas as of last December. Most of these vehicles are in Cebu.

The mayor had observed that there are several dilapidated public utility and privately-owned vehicles that are still allowed by the transportation officials.

“Kini nga mga sakyanan nga mora na og rolling coffins angay’ng dili na padaganon,” Rama said, describing the dilapidated jeepneys and private vehicles as rolling coffins, referring to its tendency to cause accidents in the road.

In Central Visayas, the volumes of vehicles are increasing at more than 20,000 units every year. Authorities said this volume caused motorists to experience traffic congestions.

P1 Million Fine

Meanwhile, Rama is against the DOTC’s move imposing fines up to P1 million against erring drivers, particularly charged against those who will be caught operating colorum vehicles.

Drivers said that aside from the exorbitant fines against colorum, they also protested against the increase of other fines like the penalty for non-wearing of seat belt, which before was only P300, but now raised to P3,000 for every violation.

Deterrent

LTO-7 Assistant Regional Director Alita Pulga explained that the imposition of higher penalties is meant to discourage the drivers from committing traffic offenses.

Rama believed that because of the stiff competition due to the increasing number of public utility vehicles, the drivers will be forced to violate the traffic laws just to earn.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said in Central Visayas there are 11,262 passenger jeepneys and 3,062 passenger multicabs and most of these vehicles are operating in highly-urbanized cities, like Cebu City.