BACOLOD City – The City Council has acceded to the demands of the United Negros Transport Coalition (NUTC) during the former’s regular session at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, August 28.
The NUTC, representing various groups of traditional jeepney drivers and operators, made their grievances heard through Lilian Sembrano, convenor and president of the Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (KNETCO), who presented their request letter to the council members.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran announced the approval of two critical resolutions that addressed the coalition’s concerns.
The first resolution mandates a review of City Ordinance No. 996, which outlines the local public transport route plan.
The second resolution appeals to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to permit the renewal of the coalition’s franchises while their appeal is under Senate investigation.
NUTC includes prominent local transportation groups such as KNETCO, the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC), Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD), and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).
Earlier the same day, members of the NUTC staged a protest rally within the government center’s lobby, prompting heightened security measures.
According to Primitivo Tabujara, head of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), all entrances except the main door were temporarily closed to ensure safety, although normal operations have since resumed.
The city council had previously passed Resolution No. 371 on May 3, 2024, urging Congress to expedite legislative measures to mitigate the challenges faced by the transport sector due to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program./PN
