All owners of public utility vehicles (PUV’s) are barred from selling and transferring the franchises of their commuter vehicles effective on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

After this date, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will no longer receive any petition for the sale and transfer of franchise as provided by LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2016-010.

LTFRB-7 Assistant Regional Director Rey Elnar told DYRD Balita that the commercialization of certificates of public convenience prompted the issuance of the memorandum.

According to Elnar, a franchise is not a property or right but a mere license or privilege therefore permission should first be secured from the LTFRB for those who no longer want to operate their units as PUV’s.

All franchises should be surrendered to the LTFRB and be granted to qualified operators.

A moratorium on the grant of franchises to operate PUV’s has been implemented in 2001 and was again applied in 2010. (Chito M. Visarra and Rey Tutas)