Dino meets Chan to talk e-jeep issue

CEBU, Philippines — Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino met with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan to clarify about the issue on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program that is being implemented on Mactan Island.

Chan has earlier sought for the review and revision of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) that was earlier submitted by the former administration.

Chan also clarified that he is supportive of the PUVMP of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Administration.

“Ato lang giklaro nga kita dili ta supak sa modernization sa atong transportation, sayop na ang naa sa balita karon. Kita paborable gyud ta sa modernization, ang atoa lang gusto nato ma-review ang rota nato sa e-jeep,” Chan said.

He reiterated that he doesn’t want the current tricycle and multicab drivers to be displaced following the plan of having 75 more e-jeepneys plying the city.

“Dili sad ko mosugot nga maligsan sila kay maapektohan man sad gyud ang atoang syudad," the mayor said.

In its initial launch, 25 e-jeepneys were deployed in Lapu-Lapu City.

Chan clarified that he is not against giving commuters an option for transportation, but rather he wants to talk with the drivers to submit a better route plan for both e-jeep, multicabs, and tricycles.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. has asked Dino to intervene on the issue, who immediately set an appointment with Chan and Montealto.

“I know that Mayor Chan is a very reasonable man and how he has been very supportive of President Duterte’s programs,” said Dino in a statement.

Together with them were Land Transportation Office-7 Regional Director Victor Caindec and Department of Tourism-7 Regional Director Shahlimar Hofer Tamano.

Montealto told Chan that the Department of Transportation, in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), has a livelihood program for the drivers in the country.

The “Tsuper Iskolar” is a scholarship program for the drivers and its family member to give them more skills and livelihood opportunities.

Montealto also said that they will wait for the revision of the route plan, adding that there will be a feasibility monitoring within the three years of implementing the PUVMP to check viability of the current transportation situation. — GAN (FREEMAN)