Bacolod City- The transport groups in this city conducted a caravan rally yesterday (Jan. 17) to protest the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) here.
The LPTRP is part of the process concerning the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Diego Malacad, secretary-general of United Negros Driver and Operators Center (Undoc) said that the caravan had kicked off from the Bacolod City Government Center grounds and passed through all major roads of the city and culminated at the Fountain of Justice of the Old City Hall in the corner of Luzuriaga-Araneta Streets.
The groups of the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association (FEBACDA) and Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros (Sstone), also participated in the caravan, he added.
Malacad described the LPTRP as anti-human and anti-poor because there is discrimination, isolation, and bullying.
He cited that last week during the turned-over of the LPTRP by the city officials to the LTFTB the transport sector was also present for they were invited to attend the event to open up with the LTFRB officials led by Chairman Martin Delgra, III, their concerns.
But, they were surprised that the event was a turn-over ceremony of the city’s route plan, Malacad stressed.
The transport groups also lambasted the City Ordinance (CO) No. 966 that adopts the LPTRP and provides policies and guidelines for its implementation and other purposes, authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos.
Malacad claimed that CO No.966 was approved without their knowledge for they were not asked by the city council pertaining their side.
According to Ramos, chairperson of the Committee on Transportation said that he has conducted several public hearings before the ordinance was approved.
He explained that the city is just only complying with the order of the national government agency because if the local government unit will not act to the order of the national government they may be charged with dereliction of duty.
Malacad said because the LPTRB had been endorsed by the city to LTFRB, they want that the city to recall since the country is still suffering from the coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19) pandemic.
He explained that once the LTFRB implement the LPTRP it will affect almost 75 percent of the transport groups since a modernized jeepney will operate in the city./PN
