Eugenio Jose Lacson, governor of Negros Occidental, said that he supports the modernization of public utility vehicles (PUVs) as groups of jeepney drivers and operators in the province prepare to join the nationwide strike set on Monday, September 30.
“I think the issue here is really the cause of modernization of the jeeps. I am all for it, for the modernization,” Lacson, governor of Negros Occidental said in an interview last Thursday, September 26.
Lacson mentioned that a lot of jeepneys were already old and it needs to modernize PUVs. He also added that this action needs a support in order to help drivers and operators invest in new jeepney units.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is responsible for implementing the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) that aims to provide a reliable, safe, adequate, accessible, environment-friendly, efficient, and comfortable public transportation services in the country.
In Negros Occidental, two major transport groups – Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros Inc. (SSTONE) and Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Associations Inc. (FEBACDA) – have already confirmed participation in the September 30 strike.
El Cid Familiaran, the acting mayor of Bacolod City, issued Executive Order No. 28 declaring the suspension of classes in all levels on both public and private schools on September 30 due to nationwide transport strike.
In a statement, SSTONE and FEBACDA said that drivers and operators are in favor of the modernization itself, yet they’re not in favor of the cost of Class 3 vehicles for the price of PHP 2.4 million per unit.
Meanwhile, Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), the operator of Ceres buses, will not participate in the said strike. According to Jesideth Marquez-Seballos, VTI legal and media relations manager, the bus company has already completed the modernization of its fleet in 2014.
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