Traditional PUJ operators seek extension of provisional authority

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Representatives of traditional public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators in Bacolod City formally filed a manifesto before the Office of the City Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) asking for a two-year provisional authority extension to operate legally in the city.

Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the letter was addressed to Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and the Vice Mayor’s office.

The manifesto has three demands:

-the approval of a two-year provisional authority extension;

-temporary suspension on apprehensions by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) during the two-year period while they are renewing their application; and

-for LTFRB to expedite the approval of all franchises.

The vice-mayor said the manifesto was immediately added to the SP’s regular agenda and the approval of a resolution is now up to the members of the city council.

He also said that aside from the manifesto, there are a lot of legitimate points that were raised during the dialogue held last Tuesday.

He said these need to be documented prior to sending the arguments to the national government.

Earlier this week, traditional PUJ operators in the city temporarily halted their operations after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started apprehending PUJs that are operating without or with incomplete documents and franchise permits.

The city government proposed a 15-day moratorium where LTO will temporarily stop apprehending PUJs and give way to a dialogue between the traditional PUJ operators, the city government, LTO, and the LTFRB.