Cebu City eases requirement for Mandaue, Talisay TPUJs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco has seen the move of the city to allow entry of traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJs) from the cities of Mandaue and Talisay as a way to help drivers boost their income.

The majority of the TPUJ operators earlier appeared unenthusiastic with the development citing the plans to pursue modern jeepneys and the low income due to limited passengers.

“Now, I’ve heard ang ilang mga grupo have welcomed the move of the mayor. Nalipay sila kay makasud na sila Cebu City, mas daghan na sila’g pasahero... Kay taas naman sila og ruta, daghan na og manakay nila karon and mas maayo pud nuon nga dunay mga additional nga modernized jeeps,” Cuenco said.

Cuenco, the head of the city’s Jeepney Task Force, said in the meantime while the transition is gradually happening, it is also better that there are other available opportunities for both the drivers and the commuters.

He said the more the transport means that can travel for the riding public, the better.

Cuenco believes that now that the city has opened up, more operators and drivers would join the Balik Pasada Program.

He said since the points of entry of the TPUJs from the two cities are limited, the expected number of jeepneys to enter the city are 30 at most from Mandaue while 15 from Talisay.

Cuenco said they are no longer required to secure Balik Pasada IDs but are required to secure travel line from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

“Ako, as much as possible, I want to make it easy for them to come in. Now, what I cannot waive is what is in the ordinance. Naa man gu’y ordinance nato requiring all jeepneys nga mosud sa Cebu City to apply for a travel line from the CCTO. Mao lang na and I think that’s not difficult to obtain,” said Cuenco.

Cuenco said the entry of TPUJs from the neighboring cities is a big help to the riding public.

“Daku gyud na’g tabang kay mostly nga manakay gud anang mga jeepneys, mga workers man nato either coming from Mandaue, even from Cebu City dunay magtrabaho sa Mandaue. It benefits both cities. Likewise with Talisay, vice versa,” he said.

Meanwhile, for Cebu City TPUJs, Cuenco said there are some who have violated the health protocols, with overcrowding as the most common violation.

The Jeepney Task Force is doing the best that they can to remedy the situation.

“That’s why I’m putting up a hotline dinhi sa Facebook page sa Balik Pasada Program para ang riding public makasumbong kung dunay mga violations because once we catch them, i-embargo gyud na nato ang ilang mga IDs and on the second offense, naa naman na sa ordinance, we can even impound their vehicles,” Cuenco warned.

Since October last year, the city has gradually allowed TPUJs to resume operations. —GMR (FREEMAN)