ILOILO – No modern jeepney operated by Metro Express Connect, Inc. may ply around the municipality of Pavia until the company complies with the requirements of the local government, a Sangguniang Bayan member said.
Trips of Metro Express jeepneys from the Pavia transport terminal to Vista Mall in Oton town were temporarily suspended starting Monday last week as the SB looked into their operations.
Apparently the modern jeepney operator does not have the complete requirements for its vehicles to ply around town, municipal councilor Jose Maria Trimañez told Panay News.
The SB probe stemmed from a complaint from three tricycle associations that said the operation of the modern jeepneys is hampering their source of livelihood.
Metro Express jeeps pass by barangays Ungka II, Ungka I, Aganan, Pandac, Balabag, and Hibao-an – where tricycles have been a popular mode of transportation.
“May challenge because may existing transport groups nga naga-cater sang mga pasahero, amo ina ang mga tricycle associations,” said Trimañez, chair of the SB transportation committee.
Some 184 drivers from the three tricycle associations were affected by the modern jeepney operation, Trimañez estimated.
In light of this Trimañez went to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 last Wednesday to inquire about the franchise of Metro Express. He wanted to speak with Regional Director Richard Osmeña but the latter was not around.
Two days later Osmeña met with Trimañez and explained that the LTFRB has not yet issued Metro Express a franchise, only a “probationary authority” good for 45 days.
Within that period Metro Express is supposed to process its franchise in coordination with the concerned local government covered by its routes, the Pavia councilor said, citing Osmeña.
Osmeña clarified that the LTFRB central office gave Metro Express the probationary authority to operate, said Trimañez.
Moreover, “may ordinance [sa Pavia] nga ang tanan nga mga transport organizations must be accredited [by the] SB,” Trimañez said.
Aside from the accreditation, the local government also required of Metro Express its operation plan – “ano ang dispatching … pila ka passengers ang karga and what time nagasugod ang operation,” he said.
This week the local government in Pavia will meet with Metro Express representatives to discuss how the transport company could comply with the requirements.
In view of these, the LTFRB-6 ordered the halt of the modern jeepney trips from Pavia and will lift the prohibition only when Metro Express has complied with the local government requirements, although the transport operator already volunteered to stop its trips starting last Monday, said Trimañez.
Trips of modern jeepney in other routes – from Ceres bus terminal (via C1 road) and from Mohon terminal (via C1 road) – are proceeding as usual.
Metro Express has not given the local government the “proper courtesy” prior to operating in Pavia, the municipal councilor lamented.
The SB and Mayor Michael Gorriceta were “verbally” informed by Sen. Cynthia Villar about the modern jeepney operation only on the day of the launch on July 31, he said.
“We would have informed the local government-accredited tricycle associations accordingly so they could prepare for the development,” he said. “We would have asked help from the police in clearing the routes.”/PN
Tricycle franchise.is a Political tool for SMALL MINDED POLITICIANS…especially when the elections are coming and it is just around the corner…its so obviously done by this obscure Iloilo town…
Pavia is not an obscure Iloilo town! If fact, though small in size, it contributes the highest in tax to the provincial government.
Metro Express did not follow procedures by the LGU prior to operation.