The United Negros Drivers and Operators Center filed a petition yesterday requesting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman to order the re-opening of the LTFRB Extension Office in Bacolod City.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega informed LTFRB chairman Elena Bautista that their Bacolod Extension Office was ordered closed by LTFRB regional director Porfirio Clavel Jr. in November 2005.

He said Clavel's reason was that the extension office was undermanned and not earning. But he said that, based on records from the Land Transportation Office, about 30 percent of the 106,241 motor vehicles in Negros Occidental are public utility vehicles.

He said the closure of the LTFRB Bacolod Extension Office has inconvenienced their members and other motorists in Negros Occidental since they have to spend so much in traveling to Iloilo City to pay or secure permits at the LTFRB regional office.

"Notwithstanding the closure of application for new franchises in all the routes in Bacolod City, we have observed an increase in the number of jeepneys with new franchises," Ortega said.

He requested Bautista to direct Clavel to immediately re-open the LTFRB Bacolod Extension Office.

A copy of the petition letter was also furnished Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Clavel.

Clavel had earlier said that he was advised by Bautista to temporarily suspend their operations in Bacolod because transactions in November and December 2005 were few. He said they are studying their rationalization plan to strengthen their operations, especially in their field offices.*CGS

back to top