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No arrest of traditional jeeps but they must register: Albee

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Aberlardo Benitez (second from left) announcing that there will be no apprehension of traditional jeepneys granted interim service permits.*Bacolod PIO photo

Traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) with expired franchises will not be apprehended but they need to be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as private vehicles so they can be issued interim service or augmentation permits to continue operating in Bacolod City.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez made the announcement after another meeting with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and LTO representatives on Tuesday, November 22.

It is important that the traditional jeepneys are registered with the LTO and are insured for the protection of their passengers, Benitez said.

“We will not allow the riding public to be in jeopardy in any situation, the city will make sure they are protected,” Benitez said.

Benitez said the 2,445 traditional jeepneys that had franchises in 2020 will be given interim service permits by the LTFRB as long as they are registered with the LTO.

The LGU will be the one to filter and validate their franchises, he said.

All traditional jeepney operators with previous franchises will have to submit to the transfer plan and go to the Bacolod City Government Center for their validation, after which the list will be forwarded to the LTFRB for the issuance of interim service permits up to at least March 2023, Benitez said.

When they register their vehicles they will have to go through the normal process of availing of insurance and testing, he said. Authorities will have to determine the road worthiness of the PUJs.

The LTFRB has authorized 1,099 modernized jeepneys to operate in 24 routes in Bacolod City, and so far 174 vehicles have been delivered.

There are five routes with no takers from modernized jeepney operators.

While the routes of the modernized jeepneys are not filled, traditional jeepneys will be allowed to operate to fill in the gap, Benitez said.*

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