Philippine Congress Committee on Transportation

RATIONALIZATION OF ROUTES BEFORE MODERNIZATION!

Matagumpay ang naging diskusyon kanina sa Committee on Transportation tungkol sa PUV modernization pati narin sa ilang importanteng isyung panlansangan. Isa kasi sa
minumungkahi ng ilang mga PUV operators and drivers ang hindi pagpansin ng LTFRB sa kanila tuwing may usapin tungkol sa mga ipinapatupad na aksyon kaugnay sa sinusilong na programa ng Department of Transportation. Kaya't ang meeting na ito ang nag ayos at nagtulay sa patas na pakikipagugnayan ng iba't ibang transportation groups and gov't agencies.

Pinagusapan din ang mainit na isyu tungkol sa High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) na pinapatupad ngayon ng MMDA. Ayon kay Chairman Cesar Sarmiento hindi ito ang pinakamabisang paraan para mapagaan ang daloy ng trapiko sapagkat malilipat din lamang ang volume sa ibang kalsada. Mas mabisa parin ang Mass Transportation, at dito dapat nakatuon ang goyerno sa pagsasaayos: schedule ng dispatching ng mga sasakyan at eksaktong numero dapat ng pumapasada mula sa rationalized franchises.

Pinaalala din niya na ang dapat bigyan ng priority ay ang mga tao na bumiyabyahe araw-araw at hindi negosyo lamang ng iilan.

Bawat araw, may 34 pong kababayan natin ang namamatay sa kalsada.

All members of the society need to unit to stop this! Aside from law enforcement, a national road safety culture is important! This makes sure that road safety is inculcated in the minds and hearts of Filipinos kahit walang nakatinging enforcer.

We have filed House Bill No. 7915 or the National Road Safety Awareness Act that will mandate road safety education in schools to produce the next generation of responsible road users. It will also mandate the commemoration of victims and survivors of tragedies and enable them to share their stories and advocate for road safety. It will also require the DOTr, LTO and the LGUs to submit annual reports on what they have done to improve the road safety situation in each jurisdiction.

Our risk culture should be reformed! Road safety should be the norm of the society.

"The Trust Fund will support efforts along the five pillars of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety, which include strengthened road safety management capacities; improved safety of road infrastructure and broader transport networks; enhanced safety of vehicles; improved behaviour of road users; and improved post-crash care."

UN launches initiative to improve road safety worldwide With some 1.3 million drivers, passengers and pedestrians dying each year on the world’s roads, the United Nations took a major step to address this tragedy by launching on Thursday a trust fund to spur action that could save lives and prevent the loss of opportunity associated with road accidents...

General Assembly – 82nd Plenary Meeting
“Improving global road safety (Agenda item 12)

12 April 2018 (Thursday) – 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – General Assembly Hall

"Mr. President,

Thank you for the floor to deliver the statement of the Philippines supporting the present resolution on “Improving global road safety.”

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Philippines wishes to express its solidarity with member States in reducing global deaths and injuries from road crashes and providing access to safe, efficient and sustainable transport systems.

Road traffic deaths and injuries not only adversely impact the economy, but devalue human life and send signals of despair and hopelessness to the public in general.

Mr. President, the Philippines is addressing this issue. Everyone is aware of the enormity of the problem. The Philippines has enacted the following seven laws that address key risk factors, that were identified by the World Health Organization, in support of the passage of evidence-based global road safety laws:

1) The Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 requiring the use of seat belts;

2) The Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 mandating the use of helmets;

3) The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and other intoxicating substances;

4) The Children's Safety on Motorcycle Act of 2015 generally prohibiting any person to drive a motorcycle with a child on board;

5) The Anti-Distracted Driving Act penalizing distracted driving or the use of mobile and electronic devices while driving;

6) The Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016 addressing overspeeding by requiring the mandatory installation of speed limiters; and

7) The law extending the validity period of driver's licenses which also mandates strict driver's examination to w**d out unqualified applicants.

Moreover, Mr. President, the additional law mandating the use of child restraint systems has already been passed by our House of Representatives and is now being debated in our Senate.

We take note of the enhanced cooperation in the international community and the support and assistance of various international organizations such as the World Health Organization and road safety advocates such as the Towards Zero Foundation and Global Network for Road Safety Legislators on this issue. Our synergized efforts have enabled the Philippines to push for these road safety laws and meet the road safety­ related Sustainable Development Goals.

Despite these efforts, the number of road traffic crashes globally remains unacceptably high. We are very concerned that, with the current rate of progress, halving the number of global road crash deaths and injuries by 2020 may not be met.

In the Philippines, we are also having a hard time meeting the target. As of the end of 2016, road crashes kill an average of 31 people a day and is a major cause of death for our youth. This figure shows a 40% increase on the number of deaths compared to 2006, ten years ago

What is happening in the Philippines and globally is demoralizing, but it is not for us to lose hope. Majority of these road crashes are predictable and preventable. Let us strengthen our resolve to address this issue so that we can save lives from being lost and individuals from being injured. Many families have lost a member to a tragic road crashes, which could have been predicted and prevented, had laws been observed or implemented, strictly.

We can do something, and we will do our best effort to address this.

Having said that, Mr. President, we support this present resolution which, among others, recognizes the United Nations Road Safety Fund to support progress towards achieving the road safety targets; invites national and international collaboration with the end view of meeting the said targets; and explores the need of defining a new timeframe for the reduction of road crash deaths and injuries.

We take special notice as well of actions cited in the Resolution that we believe will address the road safety issue on a cultural level. This is what is needed in the Philippines - to create a culture of road safety among our people.

The invitation to intensify national collaboration, particularly in the area of law enforcement, would help instill discipline and deter unsafe driving behavior. Promoting awareness through social marketing will increase the people's desire to prioritize road safety on a daily basis.

In addition, multi-stakeholder collaboration with the academia and youth organizations could highlight education and produce a new generation of commuters that have due regard for road safety. And more importantly, remembering the victims and working with them and their families would remind the people of the names and stories behind death and injury statistics, and inspire them to take appropriate actions to predict and prevent these road crashes and unfavorable events.

Mr. President,

I wish to underscore that: One life is too precious. One death is one too many.

With concerted efforts, we continue to strengthen our resolve on this battle. We put ourselves at the forefront together with the others to advance this goal in all its phases- politically, economically, socially and even culturally, for the sake of road safety.

Having said that, we reiterate our support for this Resolution and the continued implementation of the global program on improving road safety.

Thank you."

Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento
Chairman, Committee on Transportation
House of Representatives
Republic of the Philippines

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
PRESS RELEASE ON GRAB-UBER DEAL

The House Committee on Transportation lauds the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for conducting a motu proprio review of Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asian operations, pursuant to its mandate under the Philippine Competition Act. PCC may evaluate, among others, whether the deal will increase the prices, decrease the quality of services and affect the chance of future companies to compete against the merged firm.

However, the ULTIMATE ISSUE that the government must bear in mind is what the commuters complain about everyday- our present unresponsive, inadequate, unreliable and inconvenient public transport system.

Ano ang ginagawa natin para mabigyan ang mga komyuter ng maasahang serbisyong pang-transportasyon?

The Department of Transportation and the LTFRB should be on top of ensuring adequate and reliable transportation services for the public at all times, even during situations where one or more players opt out- be that a traditional PUV or a TNC.

Based on their existing mandates, the ball is in the hands of the DOTr and LTFRB to REQUIRE OPERATORS AND DRIVERS OF TRADITIONAL TAXIS TO LEVEL UP THEIR SERVICES and FAST-TRACK AND PROMOTE THE ENTRY OF MORE RIDE-HAILING APPS, especially those made by Filipinos, to provide alternatives to Grab and assuage the fear of monopoly.

More importantly, ROUTE RATIONALIZATION, the completion of which is long-delayed, should have made our transport system grounded on reality. Such objective study can help us determine the actual and anticipated volume of commuters at a given route at given time periods and identify the optimal size, type and number of PUV units that will service the area. Route rationalization is a major key in addressing the present traffic crisis with long-term solutions, not palliative ones.

Despite such swirl of reports and comments on the competition aspect of the Grab-Uber deal, let us not lose sight that what is ultimately needed is a SUSTAINABLE, ORDERLY, PREDICTABLE AND SAFE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM.

MEASURE TO PROTECT STRANDED MARITIME PASSENGERS EYED

In line with the thousands of passengers stranded on various dates due to typhoons Urduja, Vinta and Agaton, a measure to protect the rights and welfare of RoRo passengers is expected to be pushed in Congress.

“Dahil sa clamor na nakarating sa akin through our partners in the media, karapat-dapat na po na bigyan pansin ng gobyerno ang mga nakakaawa nating mga stranded na pasahero na tumataas ang bilang tuwing may bagyo,” Congressman Cesar Sarmiento said.

It may be noted that, while there are pending bills in the House of Representatives protecting the rights of airline and taxi passengers, there are no similar measures for maritime passengers.

Congressman Sarmiento, who also chairs the House Committee on Transportation, said that the legislative gap will immediately be addressed. A House inquiry to come up with protective measures will immediately be held once Congress resumes on January 15.

“Kapag may inaasahang bagyo, and DSWD ng Region 5 po sa amin, ay nagprepreposition na po ng relief goods sa mga ports para sa maii-stranded na pasahero. It must be reviewed if this is also the protocol in other areas,” the solon said.

Measures to improve the system of disseminating travel advisories to maritime passengers will also be looked into, including intensifying efforts against companies which surreptitiously allow RoRo buses to travel despite such advisories.

Safety first- wear your helmet!!

Cong. Sarmiento calls for strict enforcement of Helmet Law - Motorcycle News Catanduanes Cong. Sarmiento and the DILG urge LGUs to enforce the helmet law

WATCH THE SERVICE ROAD - Host James Deakin interviews Cong Cesar Sarmiento on the issue regarding Ride Sharing with Transport Vehicle Networks and Vehicles (TNCs - TNVs).

They also talked about encouraging Government Officials to ride public transportation to experience first-hand the daily plight of Filipino commuters going to work. The episode shares Cong CS' experience riding public transportation around Metro Manila.

CNN UPDATE: Episode will air on Monday , August 28 on 5 pm and 10:30pm
on Free TV and Channel 14 on Sky/Destiny Cable

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NOW: James Deakin interviews Chairman Cesar Sarmiento for CNN's 'Service Road'. The two exchange ideas to improve transportation with the welfare of the Filipino commuter in mind.

Representative Cesar Vergara Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation will be discussing the Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) (Uber & Grab) on Facebook Live, 7 August 2017, 12:00 noon.

GOOD NEWS!

President Duterte signs into law Republic Act. 10928 and Republic Act 10930 - Laws Extending validity of Philippine Passport ad drivers licenses

This letter transmitted to the House of Representatives from the Office of the President is RA 10930 - extending the validity of driver's license from 3 to 5 years.

The new law enables license holders to be given 10 years validity when renewed, as long as the holder did not commit any violation and traffic rules and regulations. In addition, said law imposes stricter requirements so it would only be given to deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety.

STATE OF THE COMMITTEE ADDRESS

July 26, 2017 - Chairman Cesar Vergara Sarmiento delivers his 1st State of the Committee Address this 17th Congress before colleagues and transportation agencies. The Committee on Transportation (COTr), under Sarmiento’s leadership, has done this twice during the 16th Congress, usually after the President's SONA and during the start of the next regular session.

The committee’s goal in doing this is to inform the public of what COTr has done for the past year and to recommend the next steps that can help the Committee and partner agencies to move forward in achieving Transportation reforms for the people.

With the theme ‘Strength in Numbers’ - (battlecry of NBA reigning champions) – the Chairman believes that in the transportation sector, everyone has a part (the COTr, Sec. Tugade & the DOTr family and the PUV operators and drivers). Everyone is included in the goal of improving the overall state of Philippine transportation. He also expects every part of the team to be dependable and to level up, to make their efforts count in realizing the change the President has promised.

Aside from focusing on low-lying fruits or easily-implementable programs that have immediate effect to traffic congestion and transport safety, Chairman Sarmiento urged the Transportation agencies to get in touch of reality.

“Ibig sabihin po, bago po natin ihain sa publiko ang mga naisip nating mga polisiya, tikman muna natin at siguraduhin na iyon talaga ang kailangan ng taong-bayan. For instance, if we want to improve the state of our public transportation, it is only appropriate that our policymakers also know and experience the kind of public transportation Juan Dela Cruz is experiencing every morning while going to work, every evening as he goes home or during hot and rainy days.” he said.

Among the committee’s accomplishments, the Chairman mentions that successful passage of the law EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF DRIVER’S LICENSES FROM 3-5 YEARS to 5-10 YEARS. He also shared House resolution 940 which aims to improve the RORO network and HR 585 calling on PCG, PPA and MARINA to intensify the efforts to suppress the trafficking of illegal drugs. He personally witnessed the laxity in the way authorities monitor illicit activities in vessels and ports, thus enabling the establishment of the controversial mega shabu lab in Catanduanes.

The committee plans to move forward with priorities that includes, among others CAAP Amendment Law, which will separate the operator and regulatory functions, the Establishment of the National Transport Safety Board, the Sustainable Transport Act, Merging of the LTO and the LTFRB into the Land Transportation Authority and Establishing the Philippine Railways Authority.

COTr has conducted 40 hearings, consisting of 31 Regular Committee Hearings, 8 Technical Working Groups and 1 Bicameral Conference. The COTr conducts hearings almost twice a week and even daily and during vacations.