SOME small jeepney operators in Bacolod City have embraced real change in their current public utility jeepney operation from the traditional, and they ventured into modernized jeepney operation with brand-new units that ply the Punta-Taytay-Central Market; San Dionisio-Sta. Fe-Central Market and Eroreco-Central Market routes.
Couple Ma. Corazon and Ermin Ocalinas took a calculated risk of founding the Choret Corporation, which runs a fleet of 76 modernized jeepneys.
The Ocalinas couple was the pioneer in venturing into the operation of the modernized jeepneys in Bacolod City, starting from a single unit to their current fleet of 76 units.
The said current fleet was made possible with the consolidation of several traditional jeepney operators who equally took the courage to join the Ocalinas couple in transitioning into the corporate world, generating the support the City of Bacolod through Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, officials of Land Bank of the Philippines in its Bacolod City branch, JMC Bacolod through Patrick Cymmon Go, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office, among others.
Ma. Corazon Ocalinas said the LTFRB provided them with 123 franchise slots, and part of it was the 45 new units that they launched at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Gatuslao Street Bacolod City on Friday, February 3, being considered as its second batch of new units.
Atty. Joscet Buyco Abellar, LTFRB Legal Officer IV in Region VI represented LTFRB Regional Director Richard Z. Osmeña, Atty. Pacifico Maghari, III, Bacolod City Administrator represented Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, Gerald Baldonado of Land Bank of the Philippines Bacolod branch represented Ma. Luisita M. Chiu, LDP Assistant Vice President, Mall Manager Sharon Ciocon, Punta-Taytay Punong Barangay Leah Palma, plus some modernized jeepney operators, guests and friends attended the launching of the second batch of 45 units.
“Choret incorporators and those who consolidate their units with them have embraced change. Transport modernization is a significant change that happened in the transport sector. It sounded a cliche. But as we see, we cannot do away with change. We have to change with the times and move forward because we have all commitments not just for ourselves but also for the commuting public. As operators, you commit to providing the riding public with safe, efficient, convenient, and environment-friendly public transportation. The modern units are delivering those commitments to the riding public.
Shortly, all these modernized jeepneys will be cashless to prevent pilferage and conflict between the driver and passenger on loose change or availing of a 20% discount by senior citizens and students.
There will be a fleet management system to guide passengers on what time this modernized jeepney will pass by in the said location,” Atty. Abellar said.
Atty. Maghari said, “Change is the tagline of Mayor Albee as he entered the new administration, echoing the catchphrase ‘Albee the Change,’which means “‘I will be the change.’”
The modernization program is among his priority programs. But it was not an easy task considering that the city also has to be sensitive to traditional operators while transitioning to transport modernization.
He added that he is here to reaffirm the mayor’s full support of the government’s modernization program.
Baldonado of the LBP Bacolod branch congratulated Choret Corporation for leading the way in transport modernization.
Patrick Cymmon Go thanked Choret for choosing them as their partner in transport modernization.
Punong Barangay Palma said this undertaking has opened job opportunities for the people of her barangay and also bolstered the prominence of their village in the city’s tourism map.
Modernized jeepney operator Philip Burata was sentimental when he shared his challenges because the journey was not easy.
“But God paved the way for us to join in this collaborative effort to support the government’s transport modernization program,” he said.
Ocalinas also thanked everyone who believed they were the primary initiators of these modernized jeepneys.
“We all honor and praise God for letting this impossible happen. Without Him, we cannot reach this far.
Only He can make the impossible truly possible,” he concluded.