By JEN BAYLON
Several groups of traditional jeepney drivers and operators called for the reinstatement of their five-year transport franchise, which will allow them to operate again, during their surprise silent protest at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) yesterday morning.
Lilian Sembrano, Kabacod Negros Transport Coalition (KNETCO) president, said they want to have a dialogue with Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to convey some of their concerns regarding the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
They want the city government to assist them in getting a franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Sembrano said the city government failed to assist them in terms of the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
He added that he was dismayed at Benitez for being absent during their visits to the BCGC, claiming he was on a trip abroad.
Sembrano has also expressed his frustration over continuous calls to review and suspend the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan, noting that only 11 cooperatives have been awarded some routes, potentially leaving the city uninformed about this distribution.
KNETCO, along with 40 members of local transport groups in Bacolod City, entered the BCGC lobby during their silent protest yesterday.
Due to the incident, the city government’s Public Order and Safety Office tightened security at BCGC by closing doors at the back.
Authorities at the city hall said they will not allow rallies to be conducted on BCGC grounds without permits.
Lt. Colonel Lester Leada, Bacolod City Police Office operations chief, said the transport groups failed to secure permits.
They assembled at the BCGC lobby around 7:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, Benitez said he respects the transport groups’ right to protest.
Atty. Caesar Distrito, Benitez’s spokesperson, said there is no issue with holding rallies as long as proper permission is obtained.
Distrito explained that while BCGC serves city residents, it is not an appropriate venue to hold rallies because it can cause disruptions to their clients doing transactions.
He assured that if the groups requested permission to hold rallies, it would be granted, and the mayor would not oppose such requests./JB, WDJ