By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez will meet with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to relay the concerns of the traditional jeepney drivers and operators here regarding the national government’s modernization program.
This, after the traditional operators submitted an official statement to Benitez last Saturday, stating their suggestions and concerns in relation to the modernization program.
Based on their statement, the traditional jeepney operators suggested if the LTFRB could drop the requirement of creating a cooperative or to join a corporation to get a franchise or permit.
They also asked the agencies to be selective in areas in the implementation of the program.
Benitez met with the traditional jeepney operators at the Masskara Hall of Bacolod City Government Center last Thursday.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Al Espino, and Pao Sy also attended the said meeting.
The LTO and the LTFRB earlier agreed not to conduct massive apprehensions against traditional jeepneys here for two weeks beginning Nov. 9, upon request of Benitez to give time for the drivers and operators to think and decide about the modernization program.
During their meeting, Benitez said they told them to put into writing their concerns signed by all the drivers and operators here. “This way, there will be no misunderstanding and confusion,” he added.
Benitez said that he saw some valid points and he will discuss them with the concerned agencies.
He said that before the pandemic, he was told that 8,800 units of authorized jeepneys were allowed to operate in the city, but because of the modernization program, it was reduced to about 1,099.
“I have a feeling it’s not sufficient,” the mayor said, adding that “we are still coping.”
He said the city has 173 units of modernized jeepneys plying here, as of this time.
