THE Oro Transport Service Cooperative (OROTSCO) cried foul after its staff and passengers were allegedly harassed by angry Bugo jeepney operators when the modern jeepney plied its route for the first time over the weekend.
OROTSCO chairperson Valeriano Constantino Jr. said the angry operators allegedly instructed the passengers to step out of the vehicle at the Puerto flyover around 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 12.
“Gikwelyohan pud ang among passenger assistant officer kay ngano daw wala’y coordination sa ila,” Constantino said.
(They threatened our passenger assistant officer for not coordinating with them.)
Two of the 15 modern jeepney units started their operation on Sunday, January 12, as part of the cooperative’s opening salvo.
Constantino said there was no need for them to cooperate with the Bugo jeepney drivers and operators since they are plying a new route.
Despite the altercation, Constantino said they will continue their operations especially since the modern jeepneys are getting the public’s attention with its modernized facilities.
“Padayon gihapon ang dagan, wala kita batia ug kahadlok kay legal man ta,” he added.
(We will continue our run, we are not intimated because we know our operation is legal.)
Aminoden Guro, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Northern Mindanao, advised jeepney operators to keep their cool otherwise face consequences.
“If ever ila ng buhaton, the government can bar them from the benefits and incentives nga ihatag sa mga drivers ug operators. Naay tendency nga dili sila matagaan ug higayon nga makapanag-iya ug sakyanan,” Guro said.
(If ever they would do that, the government can bar them from the benefits and incentives which will be given to drivers and operators. There will be a tendency that they will not receive any chance to own a vehicle.)
“Magpadayon man gyud ni nga programa, nothing can stop the government’s modernization program,” he added.
(This program will really continue, nothing can stop the government’s modernization program.)
The OROTSCO on December 10 introduced its 15 modern jeepneys, the first modern transportation in the region since the government launched the public utility vehicle modernization program.
It is complete with GPS monitoring system, Wi-Fi, airconditioner, among others. The new jeepneys will travel from Bugo to Igpit, Opol.