Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya assured protesting public transportation drivers on Monday, March 23, that he will raise their call for the equitable distribution of aid to all—amid soaring fuel prices—before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in order to find solutions.
The drivers held a protest near the flyover at Barangay Bata in Bacolod City and a caravan to the Bacolod City Government Center, where their leaders held a dialog with Gasataya to air their grievances and seek his help.
The Monday morning protest failed to totally cripple public transportation in Bacolod City, as modern and some traditional jeepneys continued to ply the streets.
The protesters resumed operations after their dialog with the mayor on Monday morning.
The mayor met with leaders and representatives of traditional jeepney drivers and operators, as well as tricycle and taxi associations, who sought the support of the local government and cash aid from the national government to mitigate losses caused by the soaring fuel prices.
Rudy Catedral, president of the Bacolod Alliance for Commuters, Operators and Drivers-Manibela, said they submitted a list of 380 driver-members to be included as recipients of government assistance, but the LTFRB only approved 240.
The transport group asked the mayor for help ensure the inclusion of the 140 others.
“From our end, we will discuss and meet with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to find possible solutions to their issues,” the mayor said.
The city is also working with relevant agencies to facilitate cash aid for the drivers from the national government, he said.
Catedral said he was thankful to the mayor for meeting with them and promising to help.
The mayor said the city government is ready to assist the transport sector within its capacity.
LIBRE SAKAY
To address the lack of public transportation during the protest on Monday, the city government launched a Libre Sakay Program along key routes throughout the city.
The initiative was designed to ease financial burdens for daily commuters, City Administrator Mark Mayo said.
“The city is eyeing to extend the Libre Sakay Program, but it will depend on the assessment of the team,” Mayo said.
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region said the transport strike, caravan, and protest rally in Bacolod City were conducted peacefully and orderly.*
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