ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) has assured the public of a prepared contingency plan in response to the announced transport holiday by consolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from the Iloilo provincial towns of Pavia, Leganes, and Oton. This measure comes as a precaution for potential travel disruptions today, June 3, and tomorrow.
Uldarico Garbanzos, head of the ICTMU, emphasized during a press conference by the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI) on Saturday that they were ready to implement the contingency plan to prevent passenger stranding at key terminals, including those in Barangay Mohon in Arevalo district; in Baranay Ungka, Jaro district; and in Barangay Tagbak in Jaro district.
The grievances from drivers and operators include reduced access to Iloilo City, which has significantly decreased their income due to the implementation of the Enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) that limits their entry to 25 percent.
“Our preparation involves collaboration with the alliance since many members are from the ‘first towns’. If the transport holiday proceeds, we are prepared with our contingency plan,” Garbanzos said.
He also highlighted the impact on passengers, urging drivers and operators to consider the inconvenience caused to commuters in their towns.
“If the ‘first towns’ go through with their transport holiday, it’s the passengers who will be affected. We remind them that they are causing difficulties for their passengers,” he added.
Leaders and members from various transport cooperatives and associations shared their struggles, citing drastic income reductions that affect their ability to support their families.
Billy Demafiles, president of the United Leganes Iloilo Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ULIJODA), said, “The LPTRP has substantially lowered our income.”
Cesar Carnaje, a driver from Janiuay, complained, “On my scheduled day to enter the city, I earn around P3,500, but on other days when I can’t enter the city, my income drops to just P300. How can I support my family and send my three children to college on such a low income?”
Gilbert Bonite, another driver from Pavia, echoed similar income concerns, saying, “My income drops to P300 when I can’t enter the city, compared to P700 to P800 when I can. It’s really difficult to make ends meet with this new system.”
Atty. Salvador Altura Jr., officer-in-charge of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6, said, “If the transport holiday occurs, we will require the mother cooperative or mother corporation of the involved operator or driver to explain their actions.”
Altura criticized the cooperatives for not disciplining their members and making unilateral decisions without regard for the broader community impact.
Ariel Servando, from Barangay Guinobatan, Leganes, shared his financial struggles with the limited routes. “I only earn P100 on days I am limited to the Tagbak terminal, compared to P1,000 when I can enter La Paz,” he said.
Rolly Agocejos, from Barangay Buhang, Jaro district, noted, “My weekly income has halved since the implementation of the LPTRP. It’s tough to survive on this.”
Arlan Juele, chairman of the Pavia Jeepney Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative (PJODTC), highlighted, “The LPTRP has adversely affected both commuters and drivers.”
Albert Salalima, vice president of the Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of Oton (JODAO), pointed out, “All passengers are complaining about the new system. It’s a shock to everyone.”
But according to Altura, “What’s the use of having cooperatives and corporations if they can’t discipline and control their members?”
The members of WVATCCI are as follows:
* Molo Transport Service Cooperative
* Santa Barbara – New Lucena Transport Service Cooperative
* Aerostar Transport Cooperative
* Iloilo Superman Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* Iloilo City Alliance Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* JJL Transport Corporation
* Pavia Iloilo Jeepney Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative
* Joroshley Transport Services Incorporated
* Western Visayas Transport Cooperative
* Leon Transport Service Cooperative
* Calumpang Iloilo Service Transport Cooperative/PN
