Be informed

In a few days, construction of the overpass in Banilad will start and the already bad traffic situation in the area is expected to worsen.

Our traffic authorities and the city officials seem to be working doubly hard to address the problems that would be brought about by the construction and we’re leaving it to the experts to find the alternate routes that you can take or the right scheme to reduce the number of vehicles passing the area.

So, what can an ordinary motorist or commuter do about this? 

For us, the most important thing is to be informed about what really is going to happen.  Be aware of the schedules of the implementation of the odd-even scheme, know the alternate routes and how to get there, always keep yourself updated with the latest bulletins.

We have to know what is going on, what we can and cannot do and where to go to avoid the heartbreak of being asked to turn around because we entered the wrong road or worse when we get apprehended for violating traffic laws.

It’s going to be a tough six months ahead for the people who live or work in the area and those who pass the area, so let us brace for the worse, but continue to hope for the best.

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We received email from Jesson Morata last week on his views about these dispatchers.

Here it is:

The news story that came out about a man acting as a dispatcher who now faces criminal charges in court is giving justice to toiling jeepney drivers.  These dispatchers, are without a doubt are extorting money.

 Cebu City Ordinance No. 2108 or the anti-dispatching law describe dispatching as an “act of procuring, soliciting, or escorting passengers or would-be passengers to any passenger vehicles whether such act is done under direction of the driver or operators and done with or without collecting or demanding fees.”

Cebu City legislators have come up with the ordinance due to numerous complaints from jeepney drivers who ply the thoroughfares of Cebu City over these so-called dispatchers who have been extorting money from them. There even had been instances where the lives of the drivers are at risk because these dispatchers would threat and use force to get even especially if drivers would refuse to give money, in return for escorting passengers or would-be passengers.

Back in my college days, when I still had to commute through public transportation, these dispatchers really get into the nerves of not only the drivers but also passengers, especially females, who gets irked with the way they are taken advantage of in guise of assisting them to get onboard jeepneys.

Most drivers concur that they don’t need these dispatchers, and passengers don’t need them. Well, they are both true. What’s the use of having those big letterings on the sides of the jeepneys, the route numbers and the sign boards anyway?

Passengers are not that dumb not to know what jeepney to ride.

This should serve a stern warning to those dispatchers who, according to the drivers who say it on our dialect, dawat limpyo ug maayong patagmon.

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We share your sentiments Jesson and really we look forward to more arrests and hopefully convictions so we can rid our city of these vultures.

Aside from extorting money from drivers and sexually harassing female commuters, these dispatchers also cause traffic congestion.

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For your comments, complaints and suggestions please feel free to contact us through 2531276 local 237.

You can also send email to [email protected].