Jeepney operators told: Join BRT data collection

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City government is urging public utility jeepney operators to visit the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 office and participate in the data collection on people who would be affected by Bus Rapid Transit project.

BRT project head Rafael Yap said they started yesterday their data collection, with the first batch involving 912 jeepney operators owning 1,191 franchises whose units are plying 22 different routes.

The jeepneys are those using the 04H; 06D, 06F, 07D, 09C, 09F, 09G, 09H, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10M, 11D, 12B, 12D, 12J, 12L, 12M, 14B, and 14D routes.

The first batch of operators, Yap said, have until March 31 to cooperate and provide the requested data, which includes personal information, educational attainment, number of children, alternative livelihood, among others.

Yap said it would be the turn of jeepney drivers during the second batch of data collection.

“The purpose of the data collection is really to start preparing for the mitigation measures that we can implement for the people who will be affected by the BRT-project…so that we can prepare unsay mga measure nato to address any possible effect that the BRT-project will have sa ilaha,” he said.

The collated data would help the city government and the national government in formulating the appropriate social management plan to provide livelihood trainings for affected stakeholders.

“We will have better idea kon unsay mga personal circumstances sa mga affected parties para maka-provide ta og appropriate solutions,” Yap said.

He said many interventions, including consultation activities, would be adopted to help mitigate the adverse effects of the project to drivers and operators.

“As much as possible we will mitigate all possible social displacements para dili ni siya mahimo nga political issue or social issue,” Yap said.

The P10.6-billion BRT project is seen to help ease traffic congestion, provide fast, comfortable and cost-effective mobility, and ease the transportation problem in Cebu City.  (FREEMAN)