BACOLOD City – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Western Visayas has temporarily allowed the operation of vans-for-hire being contracted by call center firms here for their employees.
LTO 6 Operations chief Atty. Allan Sacramento gave the assurance after an online meeting with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
On Wednesday, some LTO personnel came under fire after they reportedly apprehended and took the licenses of the drivers of vans hired by Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies to service their employees.
The passengers of the vans, who were call center agents were then compelled to walk home.
The LTO didn’t only apprehend one but several vans, with some apprehensions reportedly having taken place at night.
Familiaran bared that this operation was not properly coordinated with the city government.
“LTO, HPG (Highway Patrol Group) paano nag colorum ang mga van kay gin-rent na sang BPO companies andthey do not cater to the general public. Palakton nyo ang BPO employees? Explain nyo na sa office ko,” Familiaran lashed on his Facebook post.
For his part, Sacramento said they will temporarily suspend the apprehension of hired service vehicles.
“We will give the operators of these vans-for-hire until Friday to secure necessary permit from the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board,” he added.
Mass public transport had been suspended in this city after authorities imposed an enhanced community quarantine until end of April 30 to slowdown the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.
As of Wednesday, according to the City Heath Office, Bacolod has seven COVID-19 patients, six of whom are now considered “clinically recovered” and another one died./PN
