Twenty-three out of 30 organizations under the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center have decided to leave the group and form a new one because of several unresolved issues, Jessie Ortega, former secretary general of UNDOC, said yesterday.

Ortega said 23 drivers and operators organizations formed Sentro ng Samahang Tsuper at Operators sa Negros to protest what they called “unfair and deceitful” holding of elections for new officials of UNDOC on May 19.

Ortega and Nilo Frias, who were elected members of the board of trustees, also left UNDOC and joined the newly formed organization

In their petition, a copy of which was obtained by the DAILY STAR yesterday, the organizations that decided to leave UNDOC include drivers and operators in Escalante, Silay, Talisay, Barangays Bata, Mandalagan, Punta Taytay, Banago, Taculing, Handumanan and Alijis and Sitio Magsungay in Bacolod City.

Operators and Drivers associations at City Heights and San Dionesio subdivisions, Paglaum Village, Shopping area in Bacolod City and Brgy. Dulao and Taluc in Bago City and Mambukal, Murcia also decided to leave UNDOC, the petition showed.

Aside from the election, the petitioners also protest the intervention of other groups that are not connected with UNDOC in its decisions and policy-making.

They also said they have lost their trust and confidence in the new officers of UNDOC because they did not help them resolve their problems.

Ortega said George Santa Ana, of Pinag-Isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper sa Pilipinas (PISTON), of which UNDOC is a member, came to Bacolod on June 1 supposedly to resolve the issue.

UNDOC chairman Ramon Gallano said that while he respects the decision of these drivers and operators group to leave their organization, he firmly believes that their petition has no merit.

Gallano said their election was clean and was not dubious, contrary to the petitioner’s claims because it was witnessed by Bacolod Councilor Archie Baribar and journalist Karl Ombi-on, who acted as members of the Commission on Elections.

He said he is still willing to talk with the petitioners and resolve their differences, and that, at the end of the day, they have a common cause and, that is, for the benefit of drivers and operators in Negros Occidental.*APN

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