• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Councilor Renecito Novero moved for a resolution requesting the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in both the local and national levels, to extend a special dispensation of grace in behalf of all affected transport sector in the City of Bacolod.
This was in response to the appeal made by Lilian Sembrano, president of KNETCO-Kabacolod Transport Coalition and lead convenor of Negros Transport Coalition, to give traditional jeepneys a chance to renew their permits, during an appearance she she made before the session of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday. Her appeal concerns the February 16 deadline set by the city against public utility vehicles (PUV) operating with no permits, due to their stand against the PUV consolidation scheme, which they believe will lead to the monopoly of the transport sector.
Rudy Cathedral, Bacolod Manibela chairman, said they are appealing to be allowed to continue their operations, because if they cease to operate, the riding public will be greatly affected. They plan to defer their plan to stage a 5-day transport strike next week if the SP acts on their request
Sembrano clarified that they are not against securing business permits from the city. Only that they have legal requirements to comply before they could secure business permits, such as confirmation of their franchise and LTO registration. But these requirements are still on process due to their stand against the PUV Modernization Program and consolidation scheme.
They believe that the Senate and Lower House, LTFRB Manila and Region 6, as well as the Sanggunian will eventually understand their stand because their only objective is to protect or save the livelihood of the operators and drivers, she said.
Sembrano said they have appealed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to defer the plan to apprehend jeepneys with no permits, and help them gather the LTO, LTFRB, and Bacolod Traffic Authority (BTAO) to address their problem and come up with a win-win solution. Since the SP promised to help them, they thanked the SP members headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for listening to their good intentions for the benefit of the people of Bacolod City.*
