• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD) president Rudy Catedral described as “very positive” his meeting with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza II regarding the renewal of provisional authority (PA) of traditional jeepney operators in Bacolod City.
Catedral said on Wednesday, Aug. 12 they appealed to Mendoza to allow the renewal of PAs that had expired from 2019 to 2022, citing the shortage of public transportation units in Bacolod City and the need of commuters for additional transport services.
He added that Mendoza advised the operators to file a motion for reconsideration and clearly justify why they failed to renew their provisional authorities during the prescribed period.
One of the major reasons cited by the operators was the high fines imposed at the time, which Catedral said prevented them from completing the renewal process.
Previous requests for a motion for reconsideration and amnesty were not granted, causing the problem to become more difficult for the affected operators.
Catedral said Mendoza indicated that if the operators could provide sufficient justification, the LTFRB could consider granting the renewal covering the affected years.
However, operators must first comply with roadworthiness requirements, adding that traditional jeepneys will undergo inspection to ensure that the units are roadworthy before provisional authority can be renewed.
There are nearly 1,700 traditional jeepney units in Bacolod City, including both consolidated and unconsolidated units.
Catedral said the meeting with Mendoza gave transport operators hope that their concerns could be addressed through dialogue while ensuring that public utility jeepneys operating in Bacolod City meet roadworthiness and regulatory requirements. | GPB
