By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Various transport groups representing the operators of the traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Bacolod City have formally filed a manifesto asking for a two-year provisional authority extension to legally operate in the city.

Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the letter was addressed to Mayor Alfredo Benitez.

The filed manifesto also demands the temporary suspension of apprehensions by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) during the two-year period while PUJ operators are renewing their application, and the LTFRB to expedite the approval of all franchises.

Familiaran said the manifesto was immediately added to the regular agenda of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, November 9, and the approval of a resolution is now up to the members of the city council.

Aside from the manifesto, there are a lot of legitimate points that were raised during the dialogue on Tuesday, November 8, which need to be documented before sending the arguments to the national government.

Earlier this week, traditional PUJ operators in the city temporarily halted their operations after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started apprehending PUJs that are operating without complete documents and franchise permits. 

The city government agreed to a 15-day moratorium which started last Wednesday, November 9, wherein the LTO will temporarily stop apprehending PUJs, and this will give way to a proper dialogue among the traditional PUJ operators./DGB, WDJ