By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD) demanded a clear answer from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if they are still allowed to continue operating in the city until January 31.
BACOD president Rudy Catedral said they are confused about continuing to ply their routes despite the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the updated guidelines on the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, allowed unconsolidated transport groups to continue operations until this month.
The LTFRB granted a one-month grace period after the deadline for PUV consolidation lapsed on December 31, 2023.
However, Catedral said they were told that they will be apprehended if they continue to operate.
“Nagalingin ang ulo sang aton driver-operators kung maano sila,” Catedral said.
A majority of traditional jeepney operators decided to halt their operations yesterday, fearing that they could be apprehended by the LTO for operating as colorums.
Some of them complained that they are now starving, and unable to send their kids to school due to lack of income.
Traditional PUV drivers and operators, while holding a protest rally yesterday morning, charged at the LTO in Barangay Mansilingan’s Sitio Manayawsayaw, and blocked the main gate.
Meanwhile, Catedral questioned the LTO and the city government on why another local transport group, the Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros (STONE), was allowed to operate their traditional PUV units after the consolidation deadline lapsed.
He also accused the LTO of being biased for allowing STONE to continue operating.
Catedral said it should be the same for both of them to be apprehended, pointing out that STONE has not yet officially consolidated and should also be tagged as colorum.
“Kami ya gin-warningan. Sila ya wala. Ang gusto namon matabo, dapat i-implementar ang layi. [Dapat] palarehas,” Catedral said.
The BACOD president slammed LTO-Bacolod chief Renato Novero for being “weak.”
Catedral also demanded city officials to listen and act on their requests, adding that it is their right as taxpayers.
He also called on Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to face him and all transport group members, as the solution to the issue can be simply addressed by temporarily stopping the implementation of the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan.
City administrator Lucille Gelvolea revealed on Tuesday, January 2, that STONE and another transport group from Barangay Granada communicated to Benitez, expressing their willingness to consolidate.
Watchmen Daily Journal tried to reach LTO-Bacolod, but they have declined to comment on the matter./DGB, WDJ