The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recently granted the petition for the issuance of franchise filed by Councilor Dindo Ramos in behalf of the victims of fake franchise in Bacolod City.

Ramos, chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Traffic, said he filed the petition before the LTFRB regional office three weeks ago. He said the move initiated by the city was followed by other regions.

He also said they distributed franchises to 14 public utility jeepney operators yesterday during a thanksgiving party held in Bacolod. More than 100 operators have availed of the legalization of their franchise.

Ramos said the problem was brought to their attention by Jessie Ortega, secretary general of the United Negros Drivers Operators Center. He said his committee endorsed the petition of the drivers to LTFRB and asked for the regularization of their operation. He said Mayor Evelio Leonardia followed up the matter with LTFRB regional director Porferio Clavel.

Ortega said they had presented the problem during the Valdez administration in 2003 but no action was taken on the matter.

He said there are 152 fake franchises that have been cancelled in Bacolod and the operators were given temporary permit to operate pending application for legalization. If those who were given provisional permits to operate did not apply for legalization, their units will be subject to impoundment by March 1, he said.

Ortega said the whole country has benefited from the efforts of the city because, through the franchise legalization scheme of the LTFRB, the government has helped the victims of fake franchise become legitimate operators.

Ramos said he is happy that, after five years, the victims of fake franchises were finally awarded authentic franchises and their operation regularized. He said the LTFRB has filed cases against the fixers. He also said there is no legal impediment for the victims of fake franchise to apply for authentic franchise.

He also said another accomplishment of the Leonardia administration is that in the whole country, only Bacolod has an extension office of the LTFRB.*CGS

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