Dismissed Bus Driver Cries Foul

A dismissed driver of Ceres bus liner has filed a complaint before the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) 7, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for alleged illegal dismissal and other irregularities of his former company.

Romel Anore, 43, said his only offense was when he hit a Toyota Vios while driving the bus to Tingko, Alcoy. Following the incident Vallacar Transit Ceres Bus Lines operation manager Rhandy Labandia sent him a notice of dismissal last May 21 despite minor damage to the car.

Labandia citied company rules and regulations.

Anore, who worked for more than a year for the company, said he was not even given a chance to explain his side. He said the terminal-Tingko, Alcoy route was beyond his jurisdiction and his driven bus’ permit was expired. But because he was ordered to go beyond Carcar City (his assigned route), he was forced to drive, otherwise, Anore said, he would be suspended or terminated by the company.

He said even the police officer who investigated the incident noticed the expired permit for the extended trip and was supposed to impound the bus and issue him a ticket, but Ceres Bus Liner had reportedly ironed this lapse.

“Giinitan man noon ko nga I just followed the rules and regulations kay kung madisgrasya sama sa Tingko, Alcoy nga nabag-id. Unya akong papel sa Carcar ra, ila pa ko gi-terminate,” said Anore in his complaint filed before the LTFRB and LTO.

Anore said he does not know why the LTFRB and the LTO tolerated the company’s policy of allowing their buses to go beyond the allowed routes with expired papers when they inspect these regularly.

He said he does not mind getting fired considering that he was only earning P78 per round (Cebu City terminal to Carcar City and vice versa) and only makes a maximum of two rounds per day.

He said he is only ‘sick’ at the lack of due process at the company. He said other drivers and workers had also experienced the same, and that while they have an employees’ union, this, too, is gagged by the management.

For illegal dismissal, underpayment, no overtime and holiday pays, no service incentives and other benefits, Anore filed another complaint before the NLRC.

“Driver ra man ko, dako ni nga company ang Ceres. Wa koy kwarta, daghan sila’g abogado. Manghinaot lang ko nga ang gobyerno modapig nako,” he said.

As of this writing, there’s no one available to give comment for the bus company.