Bus owners want PB to address their concerns

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CBPOA) are pushing for the creation of a committee in the provincial board that will address their concerns and represent their sector.

In a meeting with Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday, the group aired their concerns and issues affecting their operations.  Cebu South Mini-bus Operators Association President, Julie Flores, raised the absence of a committee in the Provincial Board that represents transportation and Public Utility Vehicles (PUV).

Flores suggested that there should be a chairman to whom they can directly address their concerns needing immediate attention since it would be inconvenient on the part of the operators to be in a public service where no one bothers to attend to their needs.

“Aduna untay board member nga na-assign sa transportation aron naa mi maduolan, (There should be a board member assigned to transportation so that we will have somebody to approach if needed.)” Flores said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III told the operators that since there is no committee in the provincial board which handles transportation and public utilities as of the moment, he is planning to meet with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and the members of the Provincial Board to discuss the matter to address various aspects of transportation.

“Ako sa ni silang pakigkitaan, aron nga madugangan og lain pa nga committee, (I will meet with them to discuss the creation of another committee.)” Davide said.

Flores also asked the governor to let them have at least two representatives from their association in the event that a management board will be created and also raised the possibility of establishing an office inside the South Bus Terminal for transactions.

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association President Richard Corominas is also pushing for the creation of a sticker that would help in the monitoring of vehicles and for the implementation of a ‘one bus, one route policy’ in the province.

Davide assured that he will take up their concerns one-by-one. He also requested them to note their concerns and submit them to the Office of the Governor.

Also in the said meeting, Flores pointed out that they have been loyal to the government and that they filed a petition for fair reduction which was a joint effort with the Provincial Government.

Flores assured that they will not file for re-instatement.

“Buotan ra gyod mi kaayo. And it is impossible for the government nga dili mi tabangan, (We are very good and it is impossible that the government will not help us.)” Flores added.  (FREEMAN)