• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 is being asked by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod to hold in abeyance the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) and related permits for 21 units of modernized jeep of Cebu People’s Jeep Cooperative pending final resolution of intra-cooperative disputes among the members.
The Cebu People’s Jeep Cooperative, operating the Fortune Towne-Central Market loop in Bacolod, has an allocation for 60 units of modernized public utility jeepney (PUJ), under the government’s Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP).
“But there are existing intra-cooperative disputes among its members concerning governance, participation, and/or allocation of units and privileges under the PTMP,” the resolution, authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos and approved by the SP Dec. 16, stressed.
To uphold due process, ensure orderly implementation of the PTMP, and prevent regulatory actions that may aggravate internal conflicts, or result in inequitable outcomes among cooperative members, it is prudent to hold in abeyance the issuance of new franchises and related permits over allocations in dispute until the competent authorities, in this case the Cooperative Development Authority or a court, have resolved the matter, Ramos, chairperson of the SP Committee on Transportation and Traffic, added.
The SP said the requested deferment, addressed to LTFRB6 director Richard Osmeña, is without prejudice to the commuting public and does not affect existing valid franchises, PAs (provisional authority), or ongoing operations duly authorized by law and regulations.
“The LTFRB Region 6 is requested to maintain the status quo ante over the disputed allocation and refrain from actions that would effectively implement or distribute such allocation, in a manner that may prejudice the rights of parties to the intra-cooperative disputes, without precluding the receipt of filings or submissions for record purposes,” the resolution states.
The SP added that upon final resolution of the intra-cooperative disputes, the LTFRB may proceed with appropriate regulatory actions. | CGC
