Mariveles SB moves to ensure efficient transport service of commuters

MARIVELES, Bataan—With the plight of hundreds of commuters in this industrial town in mind, the Mariveles Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Turing Isip and SB Chairman of the Committee on Transportation Angel Sunga immediately acted following the enforcement of the order prohibiting the operation of buses plying Balanga-Mariveles route, of which franchises were either recalled or not renewed by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

          A 2013 LTFRB order implements the phasing out of 15 year old or older passenger buses and mini buses. Around half of the about 260 units of buses and mini-buses plying the Balanga-Mariveles route were affected. Isip and Sunga recently held a consultation meeting with the operators and drivers of buses and mini-buses in Mariveles to discuss the situation. Provincial Board Member Peping Villapando, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation, also attended the consultation.

          Isip and Sunga urged bus operators and drivers to ensure the continued transport service of commuters despite the drastic reduction in the number of buses plying the route. Hundreds of commuters mostly workers of locators inside the Freeport Area of Bataan travel daily to and from Mariveles.

          “We have already adopted a resolution to help the displaced buses at least during the transition period”, Sunga pointed out.

          The municipal councilor also revealed a plan to have a dialog with the concerned officials of Orion and Limay regarding the plight of commuters since buses plying the Balanga-Mariveles route also pass through the two towns.