• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved Jan. 7 a proposed ordinance condoning the penalties, surcharges, interest, and other liabilities on business permits incurred by jeepney operators for the years they were not granted provisional authority (PA) to operate under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
The ordinance, approved by the SP on first, second, and third and final reading, under suspended rules, states that “all penalties, surcharges, interests, fines, and other charges imposed by the City Government on covered jeepney operators for business permit nonrenewal or late processing within the years 2019 to 2025 are condoned…”
Councilor Dindo Ramos, who authored the ordinance, stressed that the condonation shall not include the liability of jeepney operators on business permit for this year, as well as the nonpayment of the principal amount in past years.
“Jeepney operators unable to obtain PA were consequently unable to lawfully operate and renew their business permits during said years, resulting in the accrual of penalties, surcharges, interests, and other related liabilities imposed by the City Government,” Ramos, chairperson of the SP Committee on Transportation and Traffic, said.
But he stressed that “the failure to secure PA was caused by circumstances beyond the control of jeepney operators arising from the implementation of a national program that limited their ability to operate and comply with permit requirements,” hence the relief condonation ordinance.
The city mayor, through the Office of the City Treasurer and Business Permits and Licensing Office, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the ordinance within 30 days from its approval yesterday, Ramos added. | CGC
