BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said he will talk again with officials from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) with regards to the proposals being pushed by traditional jeepney operators on the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
One of the proposals is “sole proprietorship” in availing a modern jeepney unit in lieu of a cooperative or corporation.
Traditional PUV operators are also demanding a much cheaper version of the modern jeepney.
At present, the price of a modernized jeepney is between P1.3 million and P2.4 million depending on the type of unit and features it has, although all modernized jeepneys are equipped with more advanced technology and safety features such as curb-side passenger entrance and exit, closed-circuit television systems, and a Global Positioning System (GPS).
The mayor said he wants a transition period to take place first before authorities can start apprehending traditional PUV operators.
Following Benitez’s statements, Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator sa Negros Occidental (SSTONE) chairman Albert Villanueva thanked the city mayor for acting on their requests.
Villanueva pointed out that they are not against the PUV modernization program, but they are asking for much lower requirements, as the present standards are unfriendly to small PUV operators.
The transport group leader is also pushing for the rehabilitation of old jeepneys since the present program on PUVs is following Republic Act 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, which sets standards that are too high.
He said they will try their best to comply with LTFRB’s modernization standards, although it would be much better if it would still be on the individual level instead of consolidating into a cooperative or corporation.
Earlier this month, hundreds of traditional jeepney operators and drivers camped out at the Bacolod City Government Center, asking for a dialogue with city officials.
The campout was held after the LTO began apprehending traditional jeepney units operating without or with incomplete documents and franchise permits.
The city government would later agree to a 15-day moratorium; LTO would temporarily stop their apprehensions to give way to a dialogue./PN