THE Victory Liner and Solid North were given another ‘final’ ultimatum to sign a compromise agreement over use of the the access road behind their respective terminals on Perez Boulevard on or before October 1.

Failing that, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will seek the full compliance with the city ordinance by all bus companies located within 200 meters of the Perez Boulevard–Mayombo-Herrero intersection.

Councilor Alvin Coquia, chair of the committee on Transportation, gave the final ultimatum to the two bus companies, through their respective counsels, during another committee hearing on August 28 after failing to show any compromise agreement reached between them.

Coquia told Victory Liner, Solid North and Five Star: “You have only two options: Either we close your terminals or let Solid North pass through that access road.”

He said the terminals of these three bus companies are violating a standing city ordinance prohibiting the establishment of terminals whose ingress and egress are within 200 meters of a street intersection.

Lawyer Shiela Sison, counsel of Victory Liner, said no compromise agreement was reached since both companies are still awaiting the outcome of a civil case filed before Regional Trial Court in Dagupan City involving Victory Liner and Solid North over the same issue.

Five Star Bus is sister company of Victory Liner and presently allowed access.

Lawyer Edrian Apaya, counsel for Solid North, said that Solid North instead be allowed to use its garage on Arellano-Bani Street both as garage and terminal but this was turned down.

Councilor Nicanor Aquino reminded Abaya that the garage of Solid North has no business permit and only obtained a barangay clearance from Pantal and therefore operating illegally.

Councilor Dennis Canto added that Solid North parks some of its buses along Arellano Bani Road which is also a violation while Councilor Chito Samson also pointed to its illegal terminal located in front of University of Luzon.

The SP also took note that the Courier Service of Victory Liner on Mayombo also has no business permit.

Meanwhile, Assistant City Legal Officer Roy Laforteza opined: “All decisions of the LGU, whether these are based on ordinances or resolutions, are subject to challenge in local courts and can not predict its outcome.”

Coquia said the SP will have to make a decision on the matter very soon because it anticipates bigger volume of traffic in Dagupan streets with the anticipated opening of SM Central Dagupan on M.H. del Pilar Street and the full opening of City Mall on Mayombo Road. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments