'43D' drivers want use of Sabellano, F. Llamas

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Cebu South Transport Operators and Drivers Association (Cesotoda) sought the court’s help to prevent the city government from stopping them from entering F. Llamas and Sabellano streets.

Cesotoda filed an injunction with application for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Rafael Yap, chief of City Traffic Operations Management.

Eleven members filed the case on behalf of their other members who were plying the route of Minglanilla-Basak via Mohon-Sabellano and F. Llamas streets and vice versa.

In their complaint, Cesotoda alleged City Ordinance 1663 prohibits jeepney drivers plying route number 43D from entering F. Llamas and Sabellano streets, in violation of their franchise route.

They argued the defendants cannot use the said ordinance considering they had complied with the requirements mandated by the local ordinance.

“The requirements mandated by local ordinance allowing PUJs to ply in the city’s major streets the public utility vehicles have a gross weight of more than 1,800 kilograms and a seating capacity of 18 passengers,” they said.

The petitioners said under their other franchise F. Llamas and Sabellano streets are covered by route number 43D.

They said the acts of the defendants in implementing the ordinance was a “wrongful interference” of their livelihood.

The petitioners added with the enforcement of the ordinance they were force to commit trip-cutting.

“Trip-cutting could be used as a ground for cancellation of their franchise,” they said.

— (FREEMAN)