Making yourself indispensable during the pandemic
Our company is planning to reduce staffing by as much as 35% due to reduced revenue caused by the lockdown. I’m worried that I could be a part of those who will be retrenched. How do I protect myself from the cutbacks? How do I make my job an important part of the organization? — Worried Wally
A man once said: “I’ve got so many troubles that if anything bad happens today it will be two weeks before I can worry about it.” That is to say he’s got a full schedule in terms of managing his many problems and new problems will need to wait.
In your case, is this the right time to worry about the cutbacks?
How about making your job an important part of the organization? Unfortunately, the right time to ask those questions was when you were hired. The second right time to ask those questions is today. The trouble is that even after I answered your questions, it may be too late for you to make the necessary adjustments.
But let us try with the following possible approaches that your management can take in choosing those who will be retrenched. Off the top of my head, there are two possible objective rules that your organization can use: First, the rule in many organizations in case of a crisis like the ongoing pandemic is “last in, first out.” They may decide to dismiss the people who were hired in recent months or years.
Second, they may opt to target employees who are consistent poor performers. When push comes to shove, if only to achieve the 35% target, they may even consider some workers with average performance who display attitude problems as manifested in poor attendance and punctuality, among other things.
EIGHT BASIC APPROACHES
You may have heard the statement “No one is indispensable in this organization.” Chances are, it’s usually blurted out by managers exasperated by the attitude of some workers who think they can’t be removed because of their in-demand skills. Even if such workers possess unique talents, that will not prevent management from laying off that person when things get tough.
Therefore, if you appear indispensable because of your cutting-edge skills or consistent performance, management will not hesitate to terminate you, with or without a pandemic.
Now, to answer your question on how to protect yourself from possible cutbacks, here are some basic approaches that you can follow:
One, recap your past and current accomplishments. Be factual. When the time comes, you’ll be ready to argue your case before management who may be oblivious of what you’ve done or may have forgotten.
Two, minimize the gaps in your skill set relative to the job’s requirements. This means taking stock of your weaknesses as defined by management and not by your own biased interpretation. You can review the results of your latest performance appraisal.
Three, build up as many core competencies as possible. This is related to number two. The goal is to make yourself unique compared to other workers who are similarly situated. Do this by anticipating the needed skills ahead of the others.
Four, demonstrate your newly-acquired skills as soon as you can. Benefit from them right away. Once you’ve attained a new competency, it’s equally important to immediately apply it to your job and make clear its immediate benefits to your organization.
Five, create every opportunity to showcase your skill. Volunteer for certain projects that are close to the hearts and minds of management. For example, research on how to solve recurring office problems, like eliminating operational waste.
Six, exceed management expectations every time. There’s a well-worn rule that remains very important — underpromise, but overdeliver. Go the extra mile whenever you can, not only in terms of quality and quantity but in timeliness as well.
Seven, pay attention to the unwritten requirements of the job. You can get some idea when other workers are praised for what they’ve done. Find out what makes them tick. You may soon realize that not all job standards are written.
Last, prepare a career development plan in sync with company policy. That is, if you want to stay long in your current organization. If not, research what’s needed in the job market. You should understand that the top three skills needed for 2020 are data literacy, critical thinking and tech-savvy, in that order, according to Bernard Marr of Forbes.com.
BOTTOM LINE PROTECTOR
Mastering both general and special skills for your job will make you indispensable in any organization. Just the same, don’t be lulled into complacency or even overconfidence. You can prove your distinct value to your employer and colleagues, but only up to a point.
Whatever job or skill set you have, it’s your responsibility to help the organization protect and preserve its bottom line. Don’t sit and wait. You could be an outstanding performer in every way, but if you don’t assist your management in saving precious resources, especially during the pandemic, you won’t survive any retrenchment.
This means understanding how your organization defines cost-effectiveness. Company ABC may consider one system as inappropriately expensive, while Company XYZ would view it as a wise financial investment. Your value in preserving resources does not mean saving on small things like pens or paper. It should be about more than that.
Send anonymous questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting.
Coca-Cola’s local unit to invest P1B more
COCA-COLA Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) is investing an additional P1.1 billion in its local operations for 2020 as it adds new production lines in the country. With the capital infusion, total investments for the year is P4.74 billion, the company said in a press release on Thursday. Coca-Cola said new production lines will be built throughout the country and are expected to generate jobs.
“We remain confident in the Philippine economy, and this additional $22-M investment is testament to our faith that the Filipino people can look to a better tomorrow,” said Gareth McGeown, president and Chief Executive Officer of CCBPI said.
The company operates 19 manufacturing plants and over 70 sales and distribution offices in the country.
“The government and the private sector have always come together to nurture development in the country — and, given the unprecedented difficulties of the pandemic, private companies like Coca-Cola need to do the best they can to help restart the economy in order to secure and protect as many jobs as possible,” Mr. McGeown said.
The beverage giant recently partnered with the Trade department in offering P157 million in loans to retailers whose operations were disrupted by the lockdown.
The company in June said that it had been improving its digital and e-commerce platforms. It delivers products directly to consumers to lift demand.
The Philippines is Coca-Cola’s fourth-largest market in terms of unit case volume in Asia-Pacific in 2019 after China, India and Japan. — Jenina P. Ibañez
Convergence of fintech and agribusiness
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) expects the country’s markets to witness changes resulting from the pandemic. The corporate restructuring process will be in the form of mergers, consolidations, or even exit of firms.
According to PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan, “it is during this period that the PCC must watch out through proper merger review for risks of concentration or rise of virtual monopolies to protect consumer welfare.” This is in line with his agency’s motto of “ensuring businesses compete and consumers benefit.”
He need not worry about the recent acquisition by listed firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) of a 51% stake in Pay8, Inc., a fintech company specializing in payment solutions. There is no danger of a virtual monopoly arising from this transaction.
Pay8 is a subsidiary of unlisted HatchAsia Inc. and an affiliate of listed information technology company DFNN, Inc. The deal has been pegged at P377.9 million based on current valuation, subject to due diligence prior to the execution of a finalized share-swap agreement. ANI’s partnership with HatchAsia will introduce a financial platform that facilitates orders and payments. They anticipate the platform to reach farmers in the countryside’s unserved areas.
DFNN disclosed that the platform will have a major impact in the drive for financial inclusion of the agribusiness sector by enabling farmers, producers, distributors, and end-users to make cashless payments within its closed loop ecosystem. This platform should address the steady revenue decline in the neglected agricultural sector by providing much needed access to financial services.
Technology will play a big role in completing the envisioned agri-ecosystem where farmers can purchase farm supplies from accredited merchants. With ANI having the option to buy the produce, it aims to integrate buyers and other suppliers into this ecosystem.
Since Pay8 utilizes VSAT antennas, the unbanked masses can be connected to the banking grid even if they live in areas without wired internet services. Linking Pay8’s electronic wallet to ANI’s affiliated banks will allow farmers to access credit online and offline as well as to withdraw money from any ATM nationwide. These banks will also have access to DFNN’s digital core banking platforms and fintech software with secure identification, geo-fencing, and facial recognition capabilities.
Currently, Pay8 has existing contracts with Philippine Postal Corp. and provincial electric cooperatives to provide payment centers that are designed to function like neighborhood hubs in far-flung areas. With the infrastructure to manage high volume and secure financial transactions, its proprietary platform enables last mile connectivity to the banking network for the Philippines’ unbanked majority, estimated at 80% of the country’s 107 million population.
A partnership was forged last year between Pay8 and the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) involving a payment gateway that uses a portable point-of-sale system enabling mass online transactions for isolated communities. This allows hotels and resorts located at the CSEZFP to accept tourist payments via debit and credit cards.
Winsun Green Ventures, a unit of listed Greenergy Holdings, Inc., will also harness Pay8 in carrying out its plan to introduce alternative energy options such as solar products at the Makati central business district as well as in remote regions.
All these are part of ANI’s thrust to promote financial inclusion among Filipinos and contribute to the digital transformation of the local agrarian sector. Such initiatives are most welcome during the COVID-19 era when contactless transactions and public health concerns are of paramount importance.
J. Albert Gamboa is the CFO of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and Chairman of FINEX Publications.
Stuff to do at home (07/31/20)
Clarinets the focus at the PPO Instruments Petting Zoo
AS PART of its ongoing live online program to introduce people to musical instruments, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is featuring clarinet player Hernan Manalastas at its regular program called the PPO Instruments Petting Zoo, on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 4 p.m. via the PPO Facebook page. For his instrument petting zoo session, Mr. Manalastas will talk about the clarinet and demonstrate how it is played. He will also perform classical pieces suited for the clarinet.
Metro Community Bazaar
THE last day of the Virtual Metro Community Bazaar is July 31. The activity is part of the ongoing efforts of Cebu-based retailer Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. to extend care to vulnerable communities across the Philippines. Shop for food (including fresh produce and specialty items) and lifestyle items via Metro’s official website or Facebook page.
Trendsetter Online Bazaar
FOR THREE DAYS (July 30 to Aug. 1) score deals on clothing, shoes, and beauty products at low prices by visiting www.trendsettersbazaar.com. GrabPay, the online payment arm of ride-hailing app Grab is also offering cashbacks for a minimum spend and a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S10 for shoppers at the online bazaar.
Displacement online exhibit
SIX FILIPINO artists are having their artworks exhibited physically and online at the La Lanta Fine Art gallery in Bangkok, Thailand. Called Displacement, the exhibit features works by Ana Victoria Montinola, Kadin Tiu, Jason Montinola, Ronald Caringal, Valerie Chua, and Wesley Valenzuela, as they express and navigate their feelings while on lockdown. The exhibit will be on view at the La Lanta website (lalanta.com) starting Aug. 5 to Sept. 16.
La Vaquilla on view at Instituto Cervantes de Manila
LUIS Garcia Berlanga’s La Vaquilla (1985) will be streaming for free this weekend as part of Instituto Cervantes’s ongoing “Classics With You” program which features classic Spanish films. The film is a black comedy about the Spanish Civil War and was a blockbuster hit in Spain. The film screening will be on Aug. 1 and 2 and will have English subtitles. An online discussion of the film will be held on Aug. 2, 5 p.m., to be moderated by author Jessica Zafra. She will be joined by gallerist Isa Lorenzo, cinema professor Patrick Campos, and cineastes Pam Miras and Kristine Guzmán. To join the discussion online, join through https://zoom.us/j/94450783732. To get access to the film, visit the website at https://cultura.cervantes.es/manila/en/la-vaquilla/134432.
Artist Playground Acting Workshops
THEATER company Artist Playground is offering an acting workshop focused on “how to become an effective actor for film, TV, and theater” starting July 27. The workshop spans six sessions, with each session lasting one-and-a-half hours. The workshop will be led by Roeder Camanag. For more information, visit bit.ly/38nvt7Z or visit the Artist Playground Facebook page.
Ballet Philippines streams Gabriel Barredo’s Opera
THE 2016 production of Gabriel Barredo’s Opera, which Ballet Philippines President Kathleen L. Liechtenstein called “one of our finest productions,” is currently viewable online via the new Ballet Philippines website (ballet.ph). The ballet — which is based on Mr. Barredo’s exhibit, Opera, which took its inspiration from a Victorian operating theater (“opera” here means “to operate”) — focuses on the beauty and terrifying aspects of the human body as it tells the story of a pair of twins and their mother fighting against an entity called The Watcher.
Tirada printmaking exhibit catalog now online
THE EXHIBIT catalog of Tirada: 50 Years of Philippine Printmaking 1968-2018, featuring essays by guest curator Patrick Flores and printmakers Virgilio Aviado, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya and Jose Santos Ardivilla, is now available for digital download in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) website. The exhibit, which was held at the CCP from May 19 to July 15, celebrated five decades of the Association of Pinoyprintmakers, formerly known as the Philippine Association of Printmakers or PAP. The Tirada exhibit catalog may be downloaded using the link https://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/events/visual-arts/tirada-50-years-of-philippine-printmaking-1968-2018/details.
New show at BenCab Museum
JOHN Frank Sabado’s solo show, Distinction, which is up at BenCab Museum’s Gallery Indigo until Aug. 2, can be viewed online at the museum’s exhibit Facebook page(https://web.facebook.com/pg/bencabmuseum/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3113556848702650). The exhibit features Mr. Sabado’s new series of intricate pen and ink drawings that take a deeper look into the distinct ethnic markers of the peoples of the Philippine Cordillera.
How PSEi member stocks performed — July 30, 2020
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, July 30, 2020.
Peso climbs to fresh three-year high vs dollar
THE PESO rallied against the greenback on Thursday to reach a new three-year high after data showing improved foreign portfolio investments as well as dovish signals from the US Federal Reserve.
The local unit finished trading at P49.15 per dollar on Thursday, appreciating by four centavos from its P49.19 close on Wednesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.
Its Thursday close is also its strongest since Nov. 11, 2016 when it closed at P48.95 per dollar, said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.
The peso opened the session at P49.115 per dollar. Its weakest showing was at P49.19 while its intraday best was at P49.07 against the greenback.
Dollars traded rose to $809.55 million yesterday from the $551.71 million on Wednesday.
Mr. Ricafort said the local unit gained “after better portfolio investments data for the month of June”.
Foreign portfolio investments — also called as “hot money” because of how easily they enter and leave the country — yielded a net outflow for the fourth straight month at $253.38 million in June, central bank data released on Thursday showed.
This is wider than the $36.03-million net outflow in the same month a year ago but is the smallest since December and since the start of the virus outbreak.
For the first six months of the year, hot money yielded a net outflow of $3.3 billion, wider than the net $721 million that left the country in same period last year.
Meanwhile, a trader attributed the local unit’s strength to improved sentiment after recent signals from the Fed.
“The peso strengthened anew as US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed prior market expectations about the US central bank’s dovish policy stance despite keeping its policy rates unchanged near above zero,” the trader said in an e-mail.
After announcing the Fed will keep interest rates near zero, Mr. Powell on Wednesday said the Fed will “do what we can, and for as long as it takes” to support the virus-stricken US economy, according to Reuters.
“We are not even thinking about raising rates. We are in this until we are well through it,” Mr. Powell said in a news conference. — L.W.T. Noble with Reuters
PSE index fails to return to 6,000 at week’s end
By Denise A. Valdez, Senior Reporter
PHILIPPINE SHARES dropped on Thursday, leaving the main index below the 6,000 level ahead of the long weekend, as investors anticipated the government’s announcement on quarantine restrictions come August.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 37.82 points or 0.63% to close at 5,928.45 on Thursday. The broader all shares index removed 7.97 points or 0.22% to end at 3,500.27.
This put an end to the PSEi’s two-day climb and erased hopes it would return to the 6,000 level before the week closed.
“The market shrugged off news reports that the US Federal Reserve would (use) all of the tools in their arsenal to provide a backstop for their markets,” PNB Securities, Inc. President Manuel Antonio G. Lisbona said in a text message.
“There were also some lingering concerns on the rising number of local COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases… A recent government pronouncement (said) that if the number of cases reaches 85,000, a return to a more restrictive quarantine scenario may come into play,” he added.
The number of local COVID-19 cases reached 85,486 on Wednesday, breaching the government’s previously announced threshold before reimposing stricter quarantine measures.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte was scheduled to make announcements on Thursday night, which worried investors of the situation next week.
US stocks closed higher on Wednesday, adding to gains after the Federal Reserve repeated a pledge to use its “full range of tools” to support the economy but cautioned that the outlook “will depend significantly on the course of the virus.”
But despite the PSEi’s decline, AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun noted the decline is still its smallest weekly loss in the last four weeks.
“The PSEi ends the week down 1.25%. This…tells us that selling pressure is waning and buyers can start coming back into the market with less resistance,” he said in an e-mail.
The market is closed on Friday in observance of Eid’l Adha.
Sectoral indices were divided equally among gainers and losers at the end of Thursday’s trading. Mining and oil rose 154.32 points or 2.89% to 5,489.77; services improved 8.62 points or 0.62% to 1,379.39; and industrials added 23.80 points or 0.32% to 7,472.09.
On the other hand, financials gave up 16.50 points or 1.42% to 1,139.13; holding firms lost 48.32 points or 0.77% to 6,151.38; and property dropped 21.36 points or 0.72% to 2,913.03.
Some 1.34 billion issues valued at P5.09 billion switched hands on Thursday, slightly higher from the previous day’s 1.18 billion issues worth P3.57 billion. Advancers outpaced decliners, 114 against 78, while 47 names ended unchanged.
Net foreign selling climbed to P563.91 million from the P86.74 million seen the previous day.
Philippines, Malaysia spar online over Sabah
THE PHILIPPINES and Malaysia revived a long-standing territorial dispute after their top diplomats sparred on Twitter over ownership of the Malaysian state of Sabah.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein on Wednesday tweeted that he would summon the Philippine ambassador over his Philippine counterpart’s July 27 tweet that Sabah is not in Malaysia.
“This is an irresponsible statement that affects bilateral ties,” Mr. Hussein said. Sabah is, and will always be, part of Malaysia,” he said, adding that he would ask the Philippine ambassador to explain.
Mr. Locsin on Thursday fired back by tweeting that he would also summon the Malaysian ambassador in Manila.
“Sabah is not in Malaysia if you want to have anything to do with the Philippines,” the top Philippine envoy tweeted on July 27, reacting to a US Embassy post describing the area between the Southeast Asian nations as part of Malaysia.
Mr. Locsin on Thursday stood by his statement. “No country can tell another what it can and cannot say about what the latter regards as rightfully its own,” he said.
“I don’t insist China say only what we want to hear about the arbitral award,” he said, referring to a 2016 UN ruling rejecting China’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea. “It is free to say what it wants while we say and do what needs doing. That holds for Sabah,” he added.
“And that’s China we’re talking about — the second biggest economy and military power in the 21st century,” Mr. Locsin said. “I am summoning the Malaysian ambassador.”
Mr. Locsin cited previous meeting with two Chinese ambassadors “time and again to talk about our differences, sometimes heatedly but always forthrightly.” He added that he had “never objected to China making contrary claims, nor China to me doing the same with our uncompromising stand.”
“That’s diplomacy,” he said.
He also said in a separate post he would take the issue up with the US Department of State.
The oil-rich state of Sabah, a territory that is part of Malaysia’s northern Borneo, has been a thorny issue between the Philippines and Malaysia for decades. About 200 armed followers of a self-proclaimed sultan of Sulu in southern Philippines invaded Sabah state in February 2013, leading to clashes that killed several dozens.
The Sulu Sultanate claims to have leased Sabah to the British North Borneo Company in 1878, a deal that Kuala Lumpur sees as an act of abandonment.
The sultans of Sulu once ruled over Sabah and the Sulu islands. Sabah fell under British control after World War II and joined Malaysia in 1963, shortly after the sultanate ceded sovereignty to the Philippines.
Sabah has abundant natural resources. Its primary exports include oil, gas, timber and palm oil and its other major industries are agriculture and ecotourism.
Mr. Locsin said the Philippines would continue to assert its rights over Sabah and in the South China Sea.
“We have and continue to assert our rights,” he said in a tweet. “I am doing that with regard to Sabah. There have been repeated attempts to sell that claim but no Philippine president has succumbed. You’re really stupid,” he said, addressing a netizen.
‘FRIENDLY TIES’
“He was already summoned, it was about to happen,” Mr. Locsin said in another tweet. “They are always trying to sneak in an attempt to implicitly abandon our claim. But I warned our diplomats: ‘Never.’”
Philippine Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III backed Mr. Locsin on social media, noting that “even until recently, the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu had been receiving rental payments for the occupancy of Sabah.”
Malaysia has stopped paying cession money worth RM5,300 or about P61,300 a year since 2013, Malaysian news agency Bermara said in a July 22 report, citing Mr. Hussein.
The Philippines will pursue friendly ties with Malaysia despite maintaining its claim over the Sabah state, Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque said at an online news briefing. He said Sabah was given by the Sultanate of Brunei to the Philippines.
He added that the territorial dispute won’t get resolved soon, and the Philippine government would continue its diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
“This matter should not affect our ongoing bilateral ties with Malaysia,” Mr. Roque said. “It has not affected it in recent years and we will continue to have healthy bilateral relations with Malaysia despite the conflict on Sabah.”
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said during his election campaign in 2016 he would pursue the Philippines’ territorial claim over one of Malaysia’s 13 states.
In 2016, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia signed a cooperation deal where their navies would work together in fighting Islamic militants in the Sulu Sea. Mr. Duterte and former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also agreed to set aside the Sabah dispute.
The Philippines has been transporting Filipinos from Sabah back to their home provinces as part of measures to help undocumented Filipinos affected by the global coronavirus pandemic.
This was the subject of Mr. Locsin’s tweet on Monday, in which he reacted to the US Embassy post on aid it had given to “returning Filipino repatriates from Sabah, Malaysia.”
The US Embassy had not deleted or changed the tweet even if Mr. Locsin had urged the embassy to edit the announcement if it knows “what’s good for you.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan and Gillian M. Cortez
Gov’t targets to hit 2 million COVID-19 tests by next month
THE GOVERNMENT is targeting to do two million coronavirus tests by August after exceeding its daily testing capacity goal for July to 33,000 tests daily.
About 1.4 million tests have been conducted so far, Vivencio B. Dizon, deputy chief enforcer of the government’s anti-COVID-19 efforts, said at an online news briefing on Thursday.
He said the government had started a dry run of pooled testing involving the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City and the private sector. This would boost testing capacity and allow the state to use testing kits more efficiently, he added.
The Department of Health (DoH) reported 3,954 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 89,374.
The death toll rose to 1,983 after 23 more patients died, while recoveries rose by a record 38,075 to 65,064, it said in a bulletin.
DoH traced the spike in cases and recoveries to the “enhanced data reconciliation efforts” with local government units.
The agency said 1,320 new cases were reported in the past three days, while 2,634 were reported late.
Of the new cases, 1,703 were from Metro Manila, 958 from Cebu, 177 from Laguna, 90 from Rizal and 87 from Cavite.
Active cases fell to 22,327, 88% of which were mild, 9.6% did not show symptoms, 1.4% were severe and 1% were critical, it said.
Meanwhile, the government said the country had less than 1% efficiency in contact-tracing, Baguio City Mayor and contact-tracing czar Benjamin Magalong told the briefing. The country has more than 65,000 contact tracers, he said.
“It’s sad that our contact-tracing efficiency is low — only 0.68%,” he said in Filipino. He added that of the more than 1,800 local governments asked to respond to a poll on tracing capability, only 614 answered.
Mr. Magalong said contact tracers would be trained in interviewing and using analytical tools and technologies. — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
Regulator cited for failing to enforce law on speed limits
LAWMAKERS on Thursday flagged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for failing to enforce a law that limits the speed of public utility vehicles due to supposed technical difficulties.
The agency had encountered problems in determining the specifications of the speed limiter to be used in public transportation, LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante told an online hearing of the House of Representatives committee on transportation on Thursday.
“It took a while,” he told congressmen in Filipino when asked about the compliance rate, adding that the agency had tried to look for different models of the speed limiting equipment.
He also said they have to consider the varying speed limits on various national roads.
Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon said he found it “worrisome” since the law has been in effect for four years.
“The situation is quite worrisome because we have this law, but it is not properly implemented,” he said.
He said Congress passed the law to penalize overspeeding public utility vehicles “and this is just a big concern.”
Under the law, public vehicles may only register with the LTO and apply for a franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board once they have installed a speed limiter.
“I think there should be something done to compel the LTO and other agencies to properly implement this law,” Mr. Biazon said.
LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said the lack of a fixed speed limit was among the concerns of operators.
He also failed to answer when asked how many of the bus companies that had been granted a franchise were compliant with the law. — Charmaine A. Tadalan