LTFRB to require transport franchise applicants to plant trees

Starting December 1, tree planting will become a requirement for the application of transport franchises for public utility vehicles, a recently-issued memorandum of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) showed.

According to LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-076 issued last Friday, planting trees will become mandatory for those applying for a transport franchise after many parts of the country experienced massive flooding during the onslaught of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.

"This board, as part of our responsibility to conserve and protect our environment, has agreed to initiate efforts by undertaking to plant trees in the entire Philippines, and thereafter require of stakeholders.... to plant trees, as a pre-condition for issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)," the memorandum read.

Covered under the memorandum are all applicants for new CPC with at least 10 units as well as all corporations and cooperatives applying for an extension of their CPC, regardless of the number of units.

After its initial implementation, all applicants with at least 10 units will also be required to plant trees.

Applicants covered by the new policy are required to plant one tree for every unit they are applying for.

"Operators shall coordinate with the concerned local government unit (where they hold business) or the concerned DENR Office on the area allowed for tree-planting activity, and shall secure proof of compliance therewith from the LGU or DENR," the memorandum read.

"Said proof and corresponding photographs shall be attached to their application for issuance/extension of CPC," it added.

Initially, the LTFRB is aiming to plant 50,000 trees across the country through its Central Office and its Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices.

The new policy came after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade last Sunday suggested tree planting as a requirement for the issuance of a transport franchise in response to the massive flooding that hit Cagayan and Isabela following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

Malacañang on Tuesday supported the proposed policy, adding that it would also coordinate with the Department of Education so that students will likewise be required to plant trees. —KG, GMA News