BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Operators of traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) are threatening to halt their trips again if the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) resume their road apprehensions tomorrow, Nov. 23.
Diego Malacad, secretary general of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC), said in a radio interview that the 15-day moratorium agreed on Nov. 9 during a campout at the Bacolod City Government Center will expire this Wednesday.
Malacad said they will not impede the operation of modern PUJ operators, although if the LTO and the LTFRB begin apprehending again traditional PUJs over expired franchise permits, they will immediately order a halt in operations.
He also accused the local LTO and LTFRB of “isolation and bullying”, pointing out that under Republic Act (RA) 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as well as RA 11494 of the Bayanihan Law and the resolution released by the LTFRB central office, all traditional PUJs can still operate until September 2023.
Meanwhile, LTO Bacolod chief Renato Novero said they have already received orders from the regional office to apprehend PUJs again if their vehicles are unregistered.
PUJs caught operating in the city’s streets without registration could be fined P20,000.
On the other hand, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said he will talk again with officials from the LTO and LTFRB with regards to the provisions being pushed by traditional jeepney operators over the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
He added that he wants a transition period to take place first before authorities can start apprehending traditional PUJ operators./PN