SENATOR JV PUSHES FOR THE SWIFT PASSAGE OF SPEED
LIMITER BILL, CONDUCTS 2ND HEARING AND TWG

The Sub-committee on Transportation under the Public Services committee held its second hearing on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 to discuss the bills proposing for the installation of speed limiters in public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Chairman of the sub-committee said in his opening statement that he expects the passage of the consolidated bills before the 16th Congress adjourns for the upcoming national election. He also emphasized the importance of the proposed legislation to finally curb fatal accidents caused by public utility vehicles.

While there was no total opposition to the bills presented, the committee took into consideration some issues that the transport industry faces such as the lack of support from the government despite the fare discounts operators give to the riding public; the plate standardization was also brought up among other issues.

Ejercito also welcomed the comments of PISTON's President, George Mateo on Senator Trillanes' version, Senate Bill No. 1133. The group opposes the inclusion of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to the coverage of the bill, saying that the operators cannot afford the cost and it would be impractical to install speed limiter considering that some jeepney lines only traverse a four-kilometer distance.

Senator JV also asked the Department of Transportation and Communications' (DOTC) full support and commitment once the bill is enacted into law. Ejercito stressed out that the DOTC will play a very big role to realize the objective of the proposed legislation.

Shortly after the adjournment of the committee hearing, the sub-committee proceeded to its first Technical Working Group (TWG).