Ban of prov'l PUJs in Iloilo city streets mulled

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Provincial passenger utility jeepneys (PUJs) will soon be banned from entering the city's streets to decongest traffic here.

City Councilor Plaridel Nava, as chairman of the transportation committee, told The Freeman he proposed that all routes of provincial PUJs should only be up to designated terminals and will no longer be allowed to enter the city proper.

Nava's proposal will amend the city's perimeter boundary ordinance (PBO), which was enacted and enforced in 2002 but has failed to solve traffic congestion to this day. He said this was presented to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who assured support, and later to the City Council in this week's session.

Zarraga town Mayor John Tarrosa, although willing to cooperate with the city government if the ban can solve the traffic woes, said the proposal must have public consultation first because of possible dire effects to the drivers and the commuters.

"We will wait and see if the city could find solution to the possible problems during the implementation," said Tarrosa, adding that the city government should also take into consideration the added fare, time and effort among commuters as they wait at the terminals, and if there is sufficient numbers of PUJs to accommodate the volume.

Leganes town Mayor Adolf Jaen, however, was disappointed upon hearing the proposed ban. He said it will entail additional expense for his constituents in traveling from their town to the Tabak terminal at Jaro district in the city.

"Instead of paying P 11 fare in going to Jaro, a commuter will pay P20," he said, as he sought for consideration from the city government the outcome of its planned PUJ ban over the Leganesnons.

A PUJ driver from Leganes, Leonard Olette, said he was not in favor of the proposal because it will shorten the travel distance, which meant that the number of passengers will be limited thus he could hardly raise the P700 daily rent of the PUJ.

A passenger from San Miguel town, Terry Caoyonan, was also against the proposal because it will add cost to her daily budget as a businesswoman who procures her stocks directly from the city. (FREEMAN)