Cortes to ask Rama to hold jeepney ban in abeyance

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes will ask Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to hold in abeyance the full implementation of a Cebu City ordinance banning public utility jeepneys from Mandaue particularly those bearing the number 21B from entering the downtown area in Cebu City via Jones Avenue.

Cortes's statement came after a drivers and operators group trooped to city hall for an audience with Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede and Councilor Elstone Dabon, the chairman of the committee on transportation.

Loreto Gerez Jr., president of the Kahugpungan sa Mandaue Jeepney Operators ug Drivers' Association (KAMJUDA), said drivers have not plied their routes for fear of being impounded.

He said they are allowed to drop passengers at the Ayala terminal only, adding that jeepneys carry a few passengers on the return trip to Mandaue.

Drivers have also told Cortes that their jeepneys have been impounded and some of them have to raise as much as P500,000 for fines for traffic violations.

Cortes said he will also ask for the release of the impounded vehicles.

"Hinuon kutob ra jud sa ta sa paghangyo, way kumo sa pagsuway nga unta mahatagan lang sila ug lugway samtang aduna pay panagsabot-sabot tali sa traffic uban sa sakop sa Metro Cebu alang sa pagpahapsay sa dagan sa trapiko," Cortes said.

Lawyer Francisco Amit, Cortes' legal consultant said this will be the second time the mayor will appeal for the release of impounded vehicles in Cebu City.

During the mayor's first term, he appealed for the release of 20 Mandaue-bound vehicles which had been impounded.

"We will write a letter and try our best to make representation in your behalf," Mayor Jonas Cortes told officers of the Kahugpongan sa Mandaue Jeepney Operators ug Drivers' Association (KAMJUDA).

"We have heard the woes of students and other passengers," the mayor said.

 On the part of the council, Bercede said the council will pass a resolution asking its counterpart to reconsider the full implementation of the ordinance.

According to Mandaue City officials, residents of Cebu City who are working and transacting business in Mandaue are also affected. (FREEMAN)