Cebu City asks DOTr, LTFRB: Allow jeepneys to travel

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City is asking the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow public utility jeepneys to resume operations.

Mayor Edgardo Labella said the buses deployed cannot accommodate commuters and many of those returning to work have been stranded.

“Mao na magpadala ta og appeal sa LTFRB ug Department of Transportation nga unta tugutan ang atong mga jeepney... kung dili sila gusto mag-huot, we can make it in a gradual pacing, anyway, ni-cooperate man atong mga jeepney operators sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo,” Labella said.

(That’s why we will send an appeal to LTFRB and Department of Transportation to allow jeepneys to operate. We can make it gradual pacing to avoid crowding; our jeepney operators in the city will cooperate.)

Aside from the jeepneys, Labella also asked DOTr anew to reconsider the “No Backrider Policy” for those using motorcycles and travelling with immediate family members.

DOTr denied his previous request.

Labella’s spokesperson, City Legal Officer Rey Gealon, said they are just waiting for LTFRB, the lead agency of DOTr, to issue special permits for public transportation.

He said it is clear in the executive order Labella issued at the start of the GCQ period that the city allows jeepneys to operate, however, they can only do so with a special permit or authority from LTFRB.

“Kay under quarantine pa man ta. Sa higayon nga wala na sa quarantine, kita magbuot, pero under quarantine, musunod gyud ta sa IATF guidelines ug ang guidelines nag-ingon nga way jeep makabiyahe hangtod mahatagan og special permit or authority gikan sa LTFRB,” Gealon said.

(This is because we are still under quarantine. We make our own decisions when the quarantine is lifted but for as long as we are under quarantine, we have to follow the guidelines from IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) and the guideline say no jeep can travel unless given a special permit or authority from LTFRB.)

Based on Labella’s Executive Order No. 79, all forms of public transportation in Cebu City, including jeepneys, are allowed and shall be exempt from the Number Coding Scheme, but with reduced operating capacity.

Section 5 of E.O. 79 says “buses, jeepneys, modern jeepneys, van-for-hire shall follow the guidelines mandated under LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2020-017.”

As a contingency measure, the city deployed additional 20 Kaohsiung buses to help in transporting commuters.

Yesterday, to help drivers who have been affected by the stoppage of public transportation during the lockdown, the city distributed one sack of rice each to least 1,000 jeepney drivers. JMO (FREEMAN)