THE Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Western Visayas closed their satellite office near the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports (Bays) center effective September 1.
The closure was made by the LTFRB despite the agreement between LTFRB-Western Visayas director Richard Osmeña and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia that the agency will stay in the area while they are looking for their permanent satellite office in the city.
Osmeña said Monday, September 3, have already found a place for their satellite office in Barangay Mansilingan but it needs renovation for about a month.
Once they open the new satellite office, the LTFRB personnel from the regional office will only be here for two to three days every week, Osmeña added.
While their satellite office near the Bays Center was open on Monday, only the job order (JO) personnel were present and that no transactions were made especially the issuance of the new fare matrix asked by the operators and drivers which is long overdue.
No staff from the LTFRB regional office was present at the satellite office on September 3.
The JO personnel told the drivers and operators they are already preparing all the office documents to be sent to Iloilo and that they have already closed down the satellite office effective August 31 as the regional director has not issued a memorandum for their continued operation here.
The transport groups in Bacolod City had earlier asked the assistance of the City Government to convince the LTFRB not to remove their office because it will be an additional burden on their part to process their documents in Iloilo City.
Councilor Dindo Ramos, chair of the Provincial Council committee on transportation, said that during his meeting with the LTFRB head in Bacolod, it was determined that the agency has funds for the construction of their own satellite building.
He said presently, the LTFRB is occupying the city-owned building and it’s for free including their electricity bill.
Ramos also denied the reports that it was the mayor who ordered the removal of the LTFRB office.