Roller coaster ride for M'daue drivers

CEBU, Philippines - The year 2011 was like a roller coaster ride for Madaue City public utility jeepney drivers with the Cebu City government enforcing the ordinance that bans enter city jeepneys in the city’s major thoroughfares and later on allowing them to ply their usual route subject to certain conditions.

PUJ drivers heave a sigh of relief after the city government through the City Traffic Operations and Management allowed them to enter their usual route in V. Gullas St.

The Cebu City government lifted the ban which was earlier imposed effective November 28 and allowed Mandaue City-bound PUJs to travel on the said route.

The jeepneys with route numbers 21A, 21D, 21G, 22A, 22D and 22G that traverse through V. Gullas route were restricted to enter Cebu City as well as use the Ayala Center Cebu terminal following complaints that most of them are causing traffic congestion in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Not long after the ban, Cebu City officials lifted it allegedly because it is causing traffic congestion in Hipodromo and Carreta.

CITOM chairman Jack Jakosalem said the public are also complaining because it is causing them more money. Commuters going to Mandaue City have to take an extra ride before they can finally take the Mandaue City-bound PUJs.

The lifting of the ban came after the meeting between CITOM officials, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 director Ahmed Cuizon.

It was also believed to be part of the concession that the Cebu City government has entered into with Mandaue City to allow the garbage truck of Cebu City to pass through in going to a private dump site in Consolacion.

The City of Mandaue also banned the Cebu City garbage trucks to pass through their territory citing pollution concerns. However, it was believe to be a retaliatory move on the part of Mandaue.

Jakosalem however denied any concession between the two cities that resulted the lifting of the ban.

Jakosalem said it was purely a decision made to address the traffic congestion that the ban has caused in Hipodromo and Carreta.

As a condition, jeepney drivers would have to get the identification card from CITOM and a travel line in order for them to continue with their previous routes.

CITOM executive director Rafael Yap clarified that even if the jeepneys are already allowed to ply in V. Gullas St., the ban on Osmeña Boulevard remains.

Yap also reminded jeepney drivers and operators to practice discipline especially in loading and unloading of passengers only in allowed stops.

Dump trucks from Cebu city would need to pass through Mandaue considering the new dumpsite in Consolacion town. Cebu City is dumping its garbage in Consolacion after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the closure of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.—/FPL (FREEMAN)