The Southern Star Bus Company, a bus line under Ceres Liner, is continuing its Panglao trips despite not being able to secure a franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to Panglao Leonila Montero, the town’s Sangguniang Bayan approved a temporary permit allowing the bus company to continue its operations in the municipality.

Montero said that the permit was issued amid appeals from Panglao residents to let Ceres continue catering to commuters in the town.

With the growing population of Panglao, additional trips have been needed in the municipality as residents struggled with their previous limited transportation options, Montero added.

The temporary permit remains effective until the bus firm submits the complete requirements to the LTFRB and secure a franchise.

Montero noted that the local government unit did not request the Department of Transportation for an approval which was required by the LTFRB before the agency issues a franchise to Ceres.

Ceres started its Panglao operations in May this year but encountered several hurdles including smaller transport operators which protested the entry of the bus line into the town.

The group’s petition reached the LTFRB, prompting the agency to suspend Ceres’ trips to Panglao just a week after it started its operations. (Allen Doydora) 

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