BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD) held a protest outside the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in this city’s Sitio Manayawsayaw, Barangay Mansilingan yesterday morning.
They demand a clear answer on whether they are still allowed to operate until Jan. 31.
Most parts of the city were free of traffic yesterday after a large majority of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) decided to halt operations, fearing that they could be apprehended by the LTO for operating as colorums.
Traditional PUJ drivers and operators charged to the LTO office and blocked the main gate as part of their protest. Some drivers are complaining that the lack of income has caused them to starve and be unable to send their kids to school.
Rudy Catedral, BACOD president, expressed confusion as they were told on Wednesday, Jan. 4, that they would be apprehended if they tried to operate.
He questioned the LTO and the city government as to why operators, particularly from Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros (STONE), were otherwise allowed.
“Nagalingin ang ulo sang aton drivers and operators kung maano sila,” Catedral said.
City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea revealed earlier on Jan. 2 that STONE, as well as another transport group from the city’s Barangay Granada, have communicated to Mayor Alfredo Benitez expressing their willingness to consolidate.
Catedral, however, clarified that it should be the same for both groups, pointing out that STONE is not officially consolidated yet and should also be tagged as colorum.
“Kami ya gin warning-an, sila ya wala. Ang gusto namun matabo dapat iimplementar ang layi [dapat] palarehas,” Catedral pointed out.
Catedral also slammed LTO-Bacolod chief Renato Novero as being “weak” and asked the city officials to listen and act on their requests.
He also called on Benitez to face him and all of their members, recommending that the simplest solution is to temporarily stop the implementation of the Local Public Transport Route Plan.
LTO-Bacolod was reached out for an explanation over the Catedral’s allegations but has declined to comment on the matter. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
