In Cebu City, subject to rules and assessment: PUJs to return next month — CH

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City residents will have access to more public transportation with the return of traditional jeepneys in November.

The ad hoc committee that looked into the return of traditional PUJs has recommended that 1,355 of the city’s 5,000 jeepneys can operate again, provided they meet the requirements of the Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and pass the evaluation, which will be conducted from October 30 to November 3.

“That’s for a start. Magsugod sa ta sa 1,355. Atong plano ani, it should be gradual. Hinay-hinay ba,” said Mayor Edgardo Labella.

(That’s for a start. We will begin with 1,355. Our plan to do it gradually, slowly.)

Drivers of PUJs that will be allowed to travel will have to undergo a seminar with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and have to undergo a rapid antibody test for COVID-19.

“If they are found to be compliant, then they can start,” Labella said.

Once the jeepneys are in the streets, Labella said the “commandments” created by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) will apply: Required wearing of mask and face shield, no eating, no talking, sanitation, adequate ventilation and frequent and proper sanitation, no asymptomatic passengers, and appropriate distancing.

Jeepneys from other LGUs

With this development, LTFRB-7 Director Eduardo Montealto said at least 2,100 traditional jeepneys from Cebu Province and other cities will also be allowed to travel up to Cebu City.

Montealto said 13 of the 33 city routes will be reopened, including old routes of traditional jeepneys from Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Compostela, Liloan, and Danao City in the north and Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga, and San Fernando in the south.

“Kaning nga jeepneys ani nga ruta, nagdangan na ni sila but dili pa sila makasulod sa Cebu City. Inug ma-issue na ni Mayor Labella next week sa iyang executive order, just like in the past, makasulod na sila sa Cebu City,” Montealto said.

(The jeepneys in these routes are now operating but they can’t enter Cebu City. They will be able to do so once Mayor Labella issued an executive order next week.)

“Every week naay evaluation nga himoon ang jeepney task force. Based sa evaluation, possible dungagan ang ruta,” he added.

(Every week, the jeepney task force will conduct an evaluation. More routes may be added in the future depending on the outcome of the evaluation.)

The committee arrived at its recommendation following a consultation with jeepney operators.

The committee is composed of CCTO; City Attorney’s Office; Councilors James Cuenco and Niña Mabatid; and representatives from LTFRB and Land Transportation Office.

Other drivers

Meanwhile, Labella said the city will help find work for drivers of jeepney units that may not be able to travel.

He said he has tasked the City Administrator to help refer or recommend for employment drivers who are willing to drive other modes of transport like taxis.

Based on LTFRB recordrs, only 4,000 of the 5,000 traditional jeepneys in Cebu City have an active franchise.

Three thousand other traditional PUJs are operating in Cebu Province but only 2,100 units are active.

As of yesterday, there are 210 modernized jeepneys operations province-wide with 4,000 units more expected to be deployed in the coming days.

Traditional jeepneys stopped operating starting in April this year when the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMO (FREEMAN)