LEGAZPI CITY -– Bowing to the insistent demand of the riding public, the business sector and the drivers and operators of PUJs from the first and third districts of Albay, Mayor Noel Rosal suspended last Tuesday the implementation of Executive Order No. 17 which he had issued to prevent traffic congestion and parking at illegal terminals.

Caption: DIALOGUE. Mayor Noel Rosal meets transport leaders, representatives of business sector and commuters to iron out problems regarding the implementation of EO 17. RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

        Rosal made the announcement after a meeting with concerned drivers and operators of PUJs as well as businessmen and commuters affected by E.O. No. 17 at the ICR.

        The mayor said he was suspending EO 17 on condition that the erring drivers will no longer park at illegal terminals but only at the Satellite Market terminal.

        Earlier in the day, more than 100 drivers and operators held a rally in front of City Hall asking the city mayor to recall his controversial order. Last Sept. 25, a group of drivers also staged a rally for the same purpose but Mayor Rosal was in New York.

        Among those who attended the said dialogue last Tuesday were: Nelson Lanuza, president, Albay-Daraga Drivers Association; Joel Ascutia, regional chairman, CONDOR-Bicol; Alfredo Atun, president, Sto. Domingo Drivers Assn.; Ruben Botial of Tabaco; Isberto Rodriguez of Guinobatan; Tomas Magallon, CONDOR-Albay; Angelo Sabido of Mainliners Drivers Assn.’ Danilo Maravillas of CONTRA.

        Eugene Sangil of Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) represented the affected businessmen of Legazpi Port. He submitted a position paper to the mayor urging him to reconsider his decision on EO 17.

        However, the riding public was not represented in the dialogue.

        Speaking in behalf of the affected drivers, Joel Ascutia said that the jeepney drivers, operators and as well as the business sector in Legazpi port have suffered losses of income because of EO No. 17. He explained that the passengers are also complaining because they have to pay double fare as the jeepneys from the first and third districts are no longer allowed to ply their old route going to the central commercial district.

        All the drivers pledged to follow EO No. 17 if they will be allowed to return to their old routes.

        Rosal denied accusations that EO No. 17 was killing businesses in Legazpi Port and favoring businesses at Landco-pacific because the Satellite terminal is near Pacific Mall.

        The allegation of Alfredo Atun that some corrupt policemen are allegedly receiving money from drivers for illegal parking near the police outpost at Circumferential Road drew sharp reaction from Supt. Adelio Castillo, Legazpi City police chief. He asked Atun to name names to clear the good policemen but the latter failed.

        Rosal warned the drivers that he won’t hesitate to reimpose EO No. 17 if they will commit the same violations.