Bacolod City Expects 95% Shutdown In Public Transportation On Sept. 30

Bacolod City To Have 95% Shutdown In Public Transportation On Sept. 30

BACOLOD CITY – In lieu of the Nationwide transport strike in September 30, major transport groups and organizations in Negros foresee a 95% shutdown of public utility vehicles.

The nationwide strike is in protest of the government’s plan to phase out old public utility vehicles by 2020. This is part of their Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Bacolod City Expects 95% Shutdown In Public Transportation On Sept. 30
Image from: ABS-CBN

The Public Utilization Modernization Program was launched by the Department of Transportation of the Philippines back in 2017. It also calls for the phaseout of PUVs that are at least 15 years old.

During a media forum, National President of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Efren De Luna lambasted the program. “Ang isyu natin ay PUV modernization na puro panlilinlang“, De Luna said.

With this, there was a joint statement from two of the major transportation groups in the province of Negros. These are Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros (SSTONE) and Federation Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda).

Bacolod City Expects 95% Shutdown In Public Transportation On Sept. 30
Image from: Sunstar

Both groups detest the governments plan to phase out old PUVs. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) planned to replace those old units with class 3 vehicles costing P2.4 million per unit.

The transport groups also stated that they are not against the modernization program. However, the cost of the class 3 vehicles are too expensive for drivers and operators alike.

According to Sunstar, the strike will begin at 5:00 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. Due to this, secretary general of SSTONE, Jessie Ortega, asks sympathy from the public.

He stated that people who don’t have any important matters in Bacolod City should just stay at home. Moreover, he urged people from out of town to cancel their visit.

Because of the strike, La Consolacion College-Bacolod is postponing their classes on Monday, September 30. Other schools within the City are expected to postpone classes as well, but so far have posted no official statements.

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