TRANSPORT groups in Bacolod City have urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to put up a satellite office in the city.

Elizabeth Katalbas, president of Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association (Febacda), said yesterday, November 8, the LTFRB should have a satellite office in Bacolod City to accommodate the public utility jeepney (PUJs) drivers.

“They should have an office here so that we will not go to Iloilo City just to process our documents,” she said.

She added that Bacolod City drivers currently have to travel to Iloilo City to secure their documents with the LTFRB Regional Office.

In 2019, the LTFRB closed its office in the city’s Barangay Mansilingan.

Secretary to the Mayor lawyer Joseph Karol Chui said that Congressman Greg Gasataya already passed a bill for the establishment of LTFRB’s satellite office in the city.

He said that under the local government code, the local government unit is not allowed to put up an LTFRB’s office because it’s a congressional action.

He added that Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez already coordinated with Gasataya for the said plan and it will be discussed in the committee hearing today, November 9.

“We are hopeful that it will be approved soon so we can have our satellite office here,” Chui said.