BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two transport groups operating here will not join Monday’s strike – the Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators – Negros (SSTONE) and the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (FEBACDA).
The “No to Jeepney Phaseout Movement” will hold an “Untat Byahe” on May 8 in protest against City Ordinance (CO) No. 966, or the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
Albert Villanueva, SSTONE chairman, said the transport strike is not in their federation’s plan, as well as that of FEBACDA.
The strike will be led by the Bacolod Alliance Commuters Operators and Drivers, United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) and Negros Bacolod Transport Coalition.
Villanueva confirmed that UNDOC secretary general Diego Malacad approached them with regards to the strike. He, however, said they are waiting for the scheduled meeting with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Bacolod City government.
Noli Rosales, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) that will also be joining, said it will be a silent protest at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds. They also aim to have a dialogue with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the committee on transportation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Rosales said traditional jeepneys, tricycles and trisikads will be significantly affected by the LPTRP.
On the Panaad route in Barangay Alijis, he said, tricycles and trisikads will have to compete with modernized jeepneys.
Villanueva said the city government has already created a traditional technical committee. He also believed the city government is the only one that could solve the woes of the local transport sector.
“We want CO 966 abolished, or at least reviewed,” KMU’s Rosales said.
The “No to Jeepney Phaseout Movement” is expecting about 200 protesters and units of traditional jeepneys, tricycles and trisikads./PN
