Mandaue PUJs to stop plying Osmeña Boulevard route today

Jeepney drivers from Mandaue City will temporarily stop plying the Osmeña Boulevard route starting today after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia promised them a "win-win solution" to their concern during a dialogue yesterday.

Anthony Pogado, chairman of the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo, in a press conference said that they are temporarily doing this as a sign of respect for the governor and that they hope that the latter would be able to offer them the vowed win-win solution by next week.

The problem between the drivers and the Cebu City government started when Cebu City enforced Ordinance 1837, which prohibits intra-city public utility jeepneys from passing by certain city streets. In the case of jeepneys from Mandaue City, those with route numbers 21B and 22B are not allowed to pass by Osmeña Boulevard.

The conflict worsened when some drivers were allegedly mauled by members of the traffic police and CITOM last Monday night.

Accompanied by Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, NADSU officials and the Mandaue Transport Operators Association went to the office of Garcia to seek for intervention now that the problem between the drivers and the CITOM has worsened.

Ouano yesterday said that he did not direct the drivers' complaint to Mayor Tomas Osmeña since they are both mayors and he finds it much better to raise the concern to somebody whose rank is higher than him.

Garcia assured Ouano and the group that she will find a way to solve the problem the soonest possible as she plans to talk to the city government this week.

Officials of the drivers' group vowed to file a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights and they will also seek legal remedies on this problem.

Garcia, for the meantime, asked the drivers and operators to respect the city ordinance to prevent future confrontations, while she is into the process of negotiating with the city government. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan and Flor Z. Perolina