By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD) is mulling holding a transport strike in the city next week.

BACOD president Rudy Catedral said that they will be one with the plan of the Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon to conduct a transport strike tentatively on December 10 and 13.

Catedral also confirmed that they will hold protests until a new memorandum circular will be issued in relation to their franchise renewal.

He added that the strike will proceed until their request is granted.

The provisional authority (PA) issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to several traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Bacolod will expire on December 31.

Catedral said they do not agree with the consolidation of the transport franchise because they will not have a voice anymore if they are under a cooperative.

“We know that there were more have been into the consolidation, but it has no modernized jeepneys because the modernization program has no budget,” Catedral stressed.

He urged the LTFRB for the issuance of a new memorandum instead.

Around 800 traditional PUJs in the city were issued with PA.

In November, BACOD participated in the nationwide transport strike to protest against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

The Department of Transportation had set a deadline for transport groups to comply with the modernization program guidelines.

Under the program, old jeepneys will be replaced with modernized vehicles compliant with Euro 4 engines as part of efforts to reduce air pollution./MS, WDJ