ILOILO City – Vendors at the public utility vehicle (PUV) Terminal in Barangay San Pedro, Molo district are appealing to Mayor Jerry Treñas to reconsider its move to shut down the terminal amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
At least 140 vendors, dispatchers, porters, and stall owners staged a candlelight vigil Thursday evening protesting the closure of the terminal due to violations and supposedly easing traffic in the major thoroughfare.
The closure took effect on Tuesday after Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 95.
The terminal caters to public utility buses and vans from the province of Antique.
The EO pointed out that the terminal failed to comply with several memorandum circulars of LTFRB Region 6 particularly the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Commission’s (LTFRB) Memorandum Circular Nos. 2017-030, 2017-010, and 2008-013.
San Pedro village head Karl Lapascua said he met Treñas on Wednesday to ask for an extension following the appeal of the vendors. However, Lapascua said the mayor was already firm on his decision to shut down the transport terminal.
“Tani ulikdon man ang mga pumoluyo diri, maski para lang sa mga pumoluyo indi na lang sa akon kay total na-identify ako nga nag-against sa iya sang election,” dugang ni Lapascua.
Analyn Rodellado, who have been a vendor at the terminal for about five years now, also appealed to Treñas to extend the closure, saying mostly of the vendors are still reeling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Tani mayor pahumukon mo ang imo tagpisuon kag buligan mo man kami kay wala na gid kami sang iban nga ginasandigan kundi amo lang dya,” said Rodellado
“Bag-o lang kami nagsugod sa pagbaligya halin pag-lockdown dayun nangutan pa ako sa bangko para makabaligya tapos wala na kami sang puesto,” Rodellado added.
LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2017-030 set the guidelines for off-street terminal operations (Omnibus Franchising Guidelines) while LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2017-10 provided the implementing guidelines on the transition period pursuant to the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.
LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2008-013 prescribed the standard classification and guidelines in the establishment, maintenance, and operations of public terminals.
Under MC 2008-013, bus terminals which cater to less than three vehicle types should have adequate and comfortable benches and/or seats with for waiting passengers; concrete pavement and flooring; sufficient number of security personnel; communication facilities; public address system facilities such as CCTVs (closed circuit TVs); separate restrooms for male, female, and disabled passengers, among others.
Treñas said he based his decision on the recommendation of the City Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) to close the terminal because of the violations and to decongest vehicular traffic in the area.
“Mr. Jeck Conlu of the Iloilo City Public Safety and Traffic Management Office recommended the removal of the Molo PUV Terminal due to the violations of LTFB Memorandum Circulars and to further decongest the traffic situation within the area of Brgy. San Pedro, Molo,” he said.
According to Treñas, he also received reports that the franchises of the public utility buses and vans (FILCAB/VFH/AUV) using the Molo PUV Terminal were all issued after January 15, 2005.
All provincial public utility buses and vans of whatever descriptive nomenclature but with essentially the same category of services originating from the province of Antique are directed to use the terminals in Barangay Mohon, Arevalo, Iloilo City.
This is pursuant to City Regulation Ordinance No. 2014-049 also known as the Comprehensive Perimeter Boundary Ordinance of the City of Iloilo.
The ordinance which was enacted on January 2014 ordered all provincial public utility buses and vans originating from the province of Antique and whose franchises were issued after Jan. 15, 2005 to use the terminals at Barangay Mohon in Arevalo district./PN
