Probe of buses refusing to book Nueva Vizcaya passengers sought

CAGAYAN, Philippines – The representative of the lone district of Nueva Vizcaya filed a resolution, seeking an investigation into the alleged discrimination of private bus companies against passengers bound for her province. 

Congresswoman Luisa Cuaresma said she had received complaints that bus companies would not accept reservation from Nueva Vizcaya-bound passengers to give priority to those going to Isabela and Cagayan, who usually pay higher fares.

As a result, the “discriminated” passengers would wait as chance passengers.  

The lawmaker did not name the bus companies, but only Florida Bus and Victory Liner are known to ply the Manila-Cagayan Valley route.  

In her resolution, Cuaresma said public transports are under obligation to carry any passenger regardless of destination. 

“They cannot refuse passengers simply because their prospective destination is very near, or that it would be less profitable for them,” Cuaresma said.

“There is need to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation to discover the truth about such illegal and discriminatory practice to protect public interest and for possible enactment of legislation that will impose more severe sanctions against common carriers that engage in these practices,” she added.

In a Facebook post, Cuaresma’s son Benjamin encouraged passengers who experienced such practice of bus companies to email their complaint to n501inthehouse@gmail.com. 

Amid the call for probe, some passengers also complained of lack of enough bus terminals in the province. 

This measure, according to them, will solve the problem as bus companies will be specifically bound for Nueva Vizcaya. – Rappler.com 

*Image of Florida bus from Wikipedia. Image of Victory bus from the Victory Liner website.