Subject to mayor’s approval: PUJs from other LGUs may enter Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Jeepney Task Force has decided to allow traditional public utility jeepneys from other local government units to enter Cebu City following months of absence owing to quarantine restrictions.

The decision, however, is recommendatory in character and would need the approval of Mayor Edgardo Labella, said the task force’s head, Councilor Anthony Cuenco.

“Because it will need another EO (executive order) for it to be effective kay katong iyang EO, wa man to mag-include atong mga inter-city jeepney,” Cuenco said.

(Because it will need another EO for it to be effective because his other EO does not include inter-city jeepney.)

Once Labella gives his approval, jeepneys from the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay can already enter Cebu City.

Cuenco said the entry of jeepneys from other LGUs will be a big help to commuters.

“Considerable gyud, really. Dako nga factor because it will improve the transportation needs of the riding public, especially kanang mga workers nato who come from different points gikan sa Cebu City. It will really ease the burden of these people,” Cuenco said.

(It’s considerable. It’s a big factor because it will improve the transportation needs of the riding public, especially the workers from different points from Cebu City. It will really ease the burden of these people.)

The task force earlier asked for a two-week observation period for the operation of jeepneys in the city.

Cuenco said it is noteworthy that the Cebu City Transportation Office, Land Transportation Office, and Philippine National Police have not reported any traffic-related incident or quarantine protocol violations among jeepneys that have been allowed to operate.

In fact, the task force has recommended 13 additional jeepney routes in the city.

The 13 additional routes as recommended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are Bulacao-SM; Capitol-Ayala-Colon; Cebu South Bus Terminal-Pier 1,2,3, and 4; Guadalupe-Ayala-SM; Lahug-Apas-Carbon; Lahug-Busay-Carbon; Mabolo-Carbon via Jones; Mabolo-Luyo-Carbon; Mabolo-Panagdait-Carbon; Opra-Carbon; Pardo Basak-Colon; Talamban-Brgy.Guba-Carbon via Echavez; and Lahug-Ayala.

At present, the city has 18 approved routes such as Guadalupe, Lahug, Labangon, Mambaling, Basak, and Pardo-Bulacao, among others.

“We will also resume the one stop shop once the mayor approves our recommendation for the 13 new routes,” he said.

Aside from this, Cuenco said the task force has also approved the recommendation of LTFRB to field 20 additional buses.

These units will be for Cebu City only and will augment the existing number of buses plying the city streets. — JMO (FREEMAN)