Talisay drivers seek help to lift terminal ordinance

A group of operators and drivers in Tabunok, Talisay City, asked the Presidential Assistant for Public Transport Affairs Office to declare Cebu City Ordinance No. 1837, which mandates intra-city vehicles to load and unload passengers to city's accredited terminals only, as invalid.

The same ordinance bans them from entering Cebu City other than the terminal.

In a three-page petition, Reform Movement of Tabunok Operators and Drivers Association President Jose Lapuerta argued that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued a memorandum pertaining to the Board's opinion on the conflict between a city or municipal ordinance and the certificate of public conveyance.

"The validity of any ordinance therefore lies on whether it is in conflict with any statute. In view of the fact that the ordinance is in conflict with a statute then it must give way," the petition read.

With the implementation of the CO 1837, commuters have to take two rides to reach their destination.

REMATODA members are forced to enter the One Citilink Terminal, which is operated by a private company and have to pay. The petition also pointed out that the terminal operates only up to 10 p.m., forcing their members to find alternative routes lest they be apprehended for not using the terminal.

Lapuerta also said CO 1837 greatly reduced his members' income and livelihood, forcing some of them to transfer to another route and others even to bankruptcy. - Garry B. Lao