THE drivers of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Bacolod City, who earlier stopped their operation, can now operate without fearing that they will be apprehended by the operatives of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
This was stressed Tuesday, November 8, 2022, by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran after the LTO-Western Visayas heeded to the request of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for a reprieve on their operation against jeepneys without franchises or incomplete documents for 15 days.
“So, it’s a ceasefire and they can now operate provided that they will join in a (transportation) cooperative because it’s a national program (PUJ modernization),” Familiaran said.
Familiaran led the dialogue with the PUJ drivers along with City Administrator lawyer Pacifico Maghari III, Secretary to the Mayor lawyer Joseph Karol Chui, and LTO-Bacolod Head Renato Novero.
During the dialogue, the PUJ drivers presented their issues and concerns regarding the jeepney modernization program.
However, Familiaran said it’s a national law and they should follow it.
“After this (15 days), we can make our appeal to the national office, but for the meantime, we should follow the directive,” he added.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir and Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) Head Major Junji Lib were also present at the dialogue.
On Monday, several PUJ drivers particularly those of traditional jeepneys decided not to ply their routes following the operation of the LTO and Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) against them, especially those without franchises or with incomplete documents in various areas in the city.
The city government also deployed at least three buses and two vehicles from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to ferry the stranded passengers in various barangays, especially in the areas with no modernized jeepneys.
Junjun Asis, secretary-general of Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros (SSTONE), said they resumed their operation yesterday afternoon after the city officials promised them that the LTO would not apprehend the PUJ drivers for 15 days.
He said they would hold another meeting with Benitez once he finished his quarantine to discuss their concerns.
“ We are thankful to the city officials for assisting us, we are hopeful that the local government will support our concern so that we can sustain the needs of our family,” he added.
Asis said they also expect that the national government will listen to their side so they can support their families.
He, however, said that Congressman Greg Gasataya, who promised to support them, failed to communicate with them.
“Gasataya did not reply to our text messages. He promised a win-win solution, but he’s not helping us. We are hopeful that he will listen to us," he said.
Lamenting that they have families to support, Asis said they are hoping that Gasataya could help them bring their concern to the national government.
The congressman has yet to comment on this.
For her part, Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association (Febacda) president Elizabeth Katalbas also said that Benitez earlier promised to support them.
However, since January most of their members failed to operate because the LTFRB refused to renew their franchises, Katalbas said.
“This is not what he promised to us, but now the LTO will apprehend us,” she said, adding that they need their livelihood so they can sustain and support their families.
But Novero clarified that Benitez did not order them to apprehend the PUJ drivers.
“We have department orders to do our job, it’s not an order from Benitez. Our operation is valid within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Novero said he attended the dialogue to listen to the sentiments and requests of the drivers.
He added that on Monday, November 7, they penalized one traditional PUJ with no registration and fined P120,000. Some drivers were also penalized for other offenses.
Novero disclosed that it’s their usual operation to check the documents of the PUJ drivers, but now it includes the business permit, driver’s license, car registration,and insurance, among others.