Transport groups’ plea Former LTFRB-7 chief as Cuizon’s successor

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based transport groups have signed a manifesto urging the Department of Transportation and Communication to assign Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-VI Director Romulo Bernaldes back to his previous post here in Central Visayas.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative  chairman, said yesterday that many transport leaders have already signed the manifesto.

“Ubay-ubay na ang nakapirma. Daghan mga jeepney route leaders ang namirma na and other transport leaders,” said Yu.

He said that once the signatures are complete, they will send the document to DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya.

Yu said they heard that many names were floated to replace LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon but all hail from Mindanao.

Romeo Armamento, National Confederation of Transport Workers’ Union national vice president for Central Visayas, also said they are contended with Cuizon’s performance and it is Bernaldes whom they want to continue what the incoming Mactan Cebu International Airport assistant general manager started.

“Ang mga pangalan nga ni-float karon to replace ni director Cuizon wa mi kaila. Mas maayo nga si director Bernaldes kay kaila mi,” said Armamento.

Cuizon is set to relinquish his post anytime this month so he could start with his new job at the MCIA.

Prior to his appointment as LTFRB-7 director by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010, Cuizon was the MCIA public affairs manager from 1996 to 2010.

The same transport leaders had urged Abaya to make Cuizon stay at his post because of his good performance in transforming LTFRB-7 into a graft- and corruption-free office.

While grateful for the trust, Cuizon, however, said wants to take the new post offered to him.

“I have nothing but respect for our transport operators and I thank them for their kind words. But my future position in the MCIAA is a promotion. It is an upward career move and I hope they understand that,” he earlier said.

Bernaldes sat as LTFRB-7 director starting in 2008 before he was transferred to LTRFB-3 in 2010 amid the allegation the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association raised that he issued taxi franchises despite an existing moratorium.

In becoming LTFRB-7 director six years ago, Bernaldes was endorsed by former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia while former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña that time endorsed Cuizon to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. — (FREEMAN)