The current method of traveling to the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) and Lopue’s East from Barangay Mansilingan requires navigating through Bangga Cory. As I have observed, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has granted a franchise for Doña Juliana jeepneys traveling to the BCGC; however, from a commuter perspective, they are a smaller operation compared to Mansilingan jeepneys. Why were they granted a franchise? If the Mansilingan drivers’ association makes a similar request, I believe he LTFRB will give their approval.
This issue is in the hands of the Mansilingan Operators Drivers Association and, for me, in terms of doing good for commuters, somebody must take the lead.
The trip from Mansilingan to BCGC takes two rides. The first leg, from Manislingan to Bangga Cory, costs P8; then, for a shorter distance, passengers pay P10 to a tricycle. It is unfair to commuters. Additionally, passengers risk being struck by the large trucks that operate in that area and one must not wait for something to happen before taking action.
The issue of the tricycle “paradahan” is not new. At Bangga Cory, in particular, tricycles occupy areas reserved for pedestrians and the city government continues to tolerate their actions.
Through a memorandum, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) affirmed tricycles are not allowed to operate along main thoroughfares and yet local officials continue to turn a blind eye. Does DILG have the tenacity to monitor if local governments are implementing their policies? If not, then these pronouncements are just pieces of paper.
One cannot blame tricycle operators if the local government refuses to enforce policy.
Rights of the commuting public must be protected./WDJ