ILOILO CITY – Government agencies and local authorities have rolled out emergency transport measures to cushion the impact of today’s transport holiday, aiming to ease the burden on thousands of commuters expected to be stranded by the withdrawal of jeepney operations.
Leading the response, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 granted a special permit to Vallacar Transit, Inc. to deploy buses within Iloilo City to maintain transport services despite the strike.
The buses will operate on key routes including Tagbak–City Proper, Ungka–City Proper via CPU and Diversion Road, and Mohon–City Proper, providing alternative transport options for affected passengers.
The LTFRB clarified that these services will not be free and will follow the approved fare matrix, with fares set at P13 for the first five kilometers for regular passengers and P10.50 for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Complementing this effort, the Iloilo Provincial Government activated its “Libreng Sakay” program, deploying vehicles through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to provide free transportation for stranded commuters.
Units will be stationed at major terminals — Mohon in Arevalo and Ungka and Tagbak in Jaro — with trips scheduled to begin at 6 a.m.
PDRRMO chief Cornelio Salinas ordered all Municipal DRRM Offices to step up preparedness measures, including monitoring transport conditions, coordinating with transport groups and law enforcement, and preparing contingency transport for affected passengers.
Priority assistance will be given to essential workers, students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and individuals with urgent medical needs.
Authorities also urged the public to plan trips in advance, seek alternative transportation, and limit non-essential travel as disruptions are expected throughout the day.
The transport holiday, organized by the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI), is expected to significantly reduce the number of public utility vehicles on the road, prompting government agencies to act swiftly to soften its impact on daily life./PN