BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Leaders of old jeepneys federations here are unfazed by the Land Transportation Franchising Board’s (LTFRB) setting the end of March 2023 to finally keep them off the roads as part of the government’s transport modernization program.
Modernization critic Diego Malacad told DNX this is the latest in a series of extensions by the LTFRB that shows government is not even sure about the mass transport upgrade.
Malacad, chair of both the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center and the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide or PISTON-Negros, said unless a law is passed mandating the modernization, they will not act.
Elizabeth Katalbas, president of the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (FEBACDA), on the other hand, said whether the phase out takes effect or not, the sitting mayorvhere, Albee Benitez will surely find solutions for the small operators and drivers who will be affected.
But Eduardo “Junjun” Asis who heads the Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (SSTON) welcomes the extension.
He said it is a big help for them and it is only right for the LTFRB to do so sunce the number of modern jeepneys here are not yet enough.
Asis added more than 100 old jeepney units were already granted provisional authority by the LTFRB.
