Cagayan de Oro – The possibility of allowing tri-cabs locally known as bao-baos to pass through the national highways should be evaluated by the 20th City Council, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said.
‘It’s not just the bao-bao operators that are complaining but it’s also the (PUV) operators with franchises and I cannot ignore them. All have been complaining but I’ll listen to them but it also depends on the City Council. If they try to submit a written petition to me, I’ll submit it to the council,’ Mayor Klarex said in Visayan.
Mayor Klarex said this in response to questions during Monday’s press briefing at his office concerning a proposal to allow bao-baos to pass through the national highways.
Councilor James Judith II made the proposal in a special report during a recent City Council and asked the council’s public utilities committee to study amendments to the Traffic Code for this purpose.
Citing a memorandum circular by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as basis, Councilor Judith said bao-baos can legally pass through the national highways provided these vehicles are used for personal transport.
Judith also said the council should identify areas where bao-baos can pass through in an ordinance.
In response, public utilities committee chairman Councilor Romeo Calizo said their consultations with the LTFRB and other concerned agencies showed that they are adamant in opposing the entry of bao-baos in the national highways due to speed and public safety concerns.
Calizo also said bao-baos are allowed to pass only the outermost lane of secondary roads.
Mayor Klarex acknowledged that passenger jeepneys and buses as well as taxi owners complained about their lower income due to the operation of bao-baos.
‘Let’s submit their written petition to the council for review (and approval) so everyone concerned can have the opportunity to (support themselves),’ Mayor Klarex said in Visayan.
News and photo courtesy of CIO CDO