Batanes isle’s only 2 jeepneys collide

SABTANG, Batanes — This island-municipality has proved too small for its two passenger jeepneys.

The two vehicles collided recently, completely paralyzing Sabtang’s fledgling transportation business.

The Land Transportation Office’s only employee, Severino Calvez Jr., who holds office in the main island of Batan about two hours away by sea, had been invited by local police to effect the arrest and apprehension of the erring drivers of the two jeepneys. The arrest took place around two weeks after the incident.

Calvez identified the drivers involved in the collision in sitio Maho, Barangay Savidug as Reynaldo Cultura and Luis Gabilo Jr.

According to Calvez, Cultura was driving the jeepney owned by the Sabtang Fisherman’s Cooperative (Safideco), while Gabilo drove the other vehicle owned by Francisco Ramos.

Although both vehicles suffered only minor damage, Calvez has suspended operations of the two jeepneys.

Calvez found out the Safideco jeep had been operating for more than a year without the necessary registration and/or franchise papers. Gabilo, on the other hand, was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor.

In the meantime, the public has to flex their leg muscles hiking to and from this town proper to the outlying villages: three kilometers to Savidug; eight kilometers to Chavayan; five kilometers to Nakanmuan, and eight kilometers to Sumnanga.