BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez yesterday said that he will have a meeting today with the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board for the crafting of a resolution extending the moratorium on the apprehension of traditional public utility vehicles operating without franchises in Bacolod City.
During a meeting with LTFRB and Land Transportation Office on November 19, Benitez said they came to an agreement to extend moratorium against apprehension of PUVs without franchises, in preparation for changes under the transportation modernization law after taking into consideration the concerns raised by traditional PUV operators and drivers.
Prior to the agreement, Benitez raised the concerns and issues raised by operators of traditional PUVs to LTO and LTFRB representatives.
A 15-day “ceasefire” in apprehending public utility vehicles without franchises by LTO and LTFRB in Bacolod City is expected to end on Nov. 23.
As to how long the moratorium will be extended, City Public Information Officer Carmela Arcolas-Gamboa said it depends on the outcome of the talks between Mayor Benitez and LTFRB officials, during a closed door meeting.
Under the transportation modernization program which took effect 2017, PUVs 15-years-old and above will be phased out, to be replaced by air-conditioned jeepney units powered by more environment-friendly engines.
Benitez reported earlier that 173 modernized PUVs are presently operating in Bacolod, a city that needs at least 2,000 modern PUVs.*
