ILOILO – Public utility jeepney operators serving central Iloilo towns have committed to keep units on the road until 9 p.m. and deploy more jeepneys at night after a viral overloading incident exposed a critical shortage of public transportation for homebound commuters.
The move shifts the province’s response beyond the single overcrowding incident toward addressing the underlying problem — too few jeepneys making late trips from Iloilo City to provincial towns when passenger demand remains high.
The commitments were secured during a meeting among the Iloilo Provincial Government, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6, and transport operators following the viral incident involving an overloaded jeepney.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the immediate solution is to increase the number of trips, particularly along the Iloilo City-Lambunao route, where commuters crowd into the last available jeepney.
“We really need additional trips sa amo na nga biyahe. Amo na nga nagagutok kay ti last trip,” Defensor said.
Defensor stressed that PUJ operators have no reason to refuse extending their operating hours when public demand exists because they hold franchises to provide a public service.
A review of PUJ operating schedules showed that some units return to their garages early because there are few passengers traveling toward Iloilo City.
The practice, however, leaves fewer jeepneys available for the reverse journey from Iloilo City to provincial towns later in the day, when commuters are trying to get home.
With fewer units remaining, passengers are forced to squeeze into available jeepneys, increasing the risk of overloading.
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Mario Nillos said transport operators serving central Iloilo towns agreed to submit dispatching plans to LTFRB-6.
The plans will enable authorities to determine how frequently jeepneys enter and leave Iloilo City and establish their final departure schedules.
Operators also committed to deploy additional units, particularly at night, to accommodate homebound passengers and prevent a repeat of overcrowding during last trips.
The province is looking beyond the immediate measures through its Local Public Transport Route Plan, which is expected to establish proper dispatching schedules for PUJs operating along designated routes.
The provincial government is awaiting a notice of compliance from LTFRB before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can enact the ordinance necessary to implement the route plan.
The 9 p.m. last-trip commitment and deployment of additional units are expected to provide an immediate remedy while the broader transport route plan is being put in place./PN
