By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) chief is hoping that the current tensions between operators of the traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be resolved and will no longer widen into an open conflict.

BCPO director, Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir said, based on the information they have gathered, most of the issues between the two PUJ groups so far have been minimal and could be regarded as “small misunderstandings” only.

Over the past few months, several traditional PUJ operators have confronted the operators of modern PUJs over passengers and proper loading zones. Some were even noted to have nearly gotten into physical altercations. 

The actions made by the traditional jeepney operators have already garnered a negative response on social media, pointing out that the riding public has the right to choose between the two.

Martir said the traditional PUJ operators and drivers have the right to voice what they feel to the government, but he also advised them not to use violence to get what they want, pointing out that the problem can be resolved through proper and peaceful means.

Earlier on Tuesday, November 8, hundreds of traditional PUJ operators in Bacolod City camped out at the City Government Center for a dialogue with the city officials. 

This stemmed from the actions by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday, November 7, to apprehend PUJs which are operating without complete documents and franchise permits.

The city government agreed to a 15-day moratorium wherein the LTO will temporarily stop apprehending PUJs, and this will give way to proper dialogue among the traditional PUJ operators.

However, the moratorium could be regarded by the traditional PUJ operators as a “partial victory,” some have already threatened to go on transport strike if the issues with regards to their franchise permits are not resolved within the 15-day period./DGB, WDJ