BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA AND MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The local business sector is apprehensive. More than a hundred public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators stopped operating since Monday, Nov. 7.
The operators fear they may be slapped with massive fines if they are apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for operating without renewed franchises.
In a radio interview yesterday morning, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) chief executive officer Frank Carbon said they are not in favor of the PUJs stopping their operation because this would have a negative impact on the city’s economy.
Carbon said some employees failed to report to work as there was no transportation available.
At least 80 percent of the workers in the city are utilizing public transportation, and he is hoping that the city government will immediately act on the matter.
Yesterday morning, hundreds of traditional PUJ drivers and operators camped outside the Bacolod City Government Center, asking for a dialogue with city officials.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, along with the other city officials, talked to the transport leaders.
According to Familiaran, he had not received information on Sunday with regards to the announcement of the Bacolod City Public Information Office on the apprehension of PUJs with incomplete documents.
He only discovered the announcement on Monday, after he received a call regarding the city’s transport situation.
Bacolod City administrator, Atty. Pacifico Maghari III, meanwhile, denied that Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez issued an order to apprehend PUJ drivers with incomplete documents by conducting checkpoints in the city.
Maghari pointed out that the operation was coming directly from the national government and that the LTO was merely following orders from above.
PUJs’ apprehension temporarily suspended
Following a lengthy negotiation, it was finally agreed that the PUJ apprehension would be temporarily suspended for 15 days, beginning today, Nov. 9.
Lilian Cabansag, president of the Estefania Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Incorporated, said during the 15-day period PUJ operators and city officials will conduct a series of meetings to find a solution to the traditional PUJ operators’ problems.
The traditional PUJ operators were also strongly advised to join a transportation cooperative or corporation as part of the national government’s transport modernization program.
“Ceasefire, pwede na sila ka byahe, wala dakpanay si LTO, provided nga maintra sila sa cooperative kay national program ini, wala ta mahimo kay indi man ta ka away sa gobyerno,” Familiaran said.
Failure to join a cooperative within two weeks will render them “colorum” and compel the LTO and LTFRB to apprehend them for non-compliance.
According to the Department of Transportation Department Order 2017-011, units that are at least 15 years old can no longer be registered or operated under the public utility vehicle modernization program./PN
