A GROUP of motorela drivers is filing a complaint against a traffic enforcer for imposing rules intended to humiliate five drivers.
Victor Deloy, president of First Cagayan de Oro Transport Workers Association (FICTWA), identified the traffic enforcer as Raymond Bustamante, who allegedly shamed the five drivers in public near a mall along Corrales street corner C.M. Recto Avenue on July 18.
He said that drivers Sonny Asino, Isidro Dapar, James Bacquero, Verdict Valdehueza, and Jenelito Turtoga were forced to sing "Lupang Hinirang" and dance "Boom Tarat Tarat" as a punishment for illegal "alley" in the said area.
"Ang area, is our usual FICTWA area, sa una pami diha, 1990s," Deloy said.
Deloy said the Roads and Traffic Administration Officer (RTA) should punish the drivers based on the RTA rules.
"Iya nalang unta nang gidakop, dili kay maghimo-himo siya ug iyang kaugalingon na balaod na pakaulawan ang atong mga drivers," he added.
A resolution was passed in the City Council last year to abolish public transport terminals in the city.
But the resolution remains a "status quo" since RTA has yet to find ways and means to settle the issue.
“Pending paman gud siya na resolution so samtang wala pa sila kapangita ug pamaagi, didto sa mi, unsaon man gud na nimo ng pasahero na masuko pa man gani kung dili gyud sila mahatud,” Deloy said.
Paul Cempron, president of Federation of Motorela Operators ad Drivers in Cagayan de Oro (Femodco) said the RTA officer should be relieved from his position and demands the City Council to investigate instead of the RTA administration.
For his part, lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, RTA chief, said they will conduct an investigation on the complaint and assures the drivers a fair result.
He said drivers should also follow the rules, "Ang nahitabo man gud kay mag-alley na sila diha, muawat ang taxi, maghunong-hunong na dayon ang pier liner, maghuot na dayon diha."
Uy reiterated that drivers should only pick up passengers on the loading and unloading zones.
"Ang bottom line gyud diha, walay terminal dihang dapita, illegal na diha, pwede gyud na sila pangdakpon diha anytime,"
However, he said what Bustamante did was a clear misconduct.
"Dili gyud pwede ang alleged na gihimo sa isa ka RTA, kung naka-violate man gani ang atong mga drivers, dapat ticketan, dili pakantahon or pasayawon," Uy said.
He furthered the officer could possibly be relieved from the position.
"Pero ato sa gayud pud dunggon ang side sa RTA officer kay kani nga reklamo, dili tiaw-tiaw, bug-at ni siya na accusation. As I've said, we have to be balanced and fair to both sides," Uy added.
FICTWA and Femodco also call the attention of City Council Roger Abaday who chairs the committee on public utilities. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)