The agreement allowing 40 percent of consolidated first-town Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) to enter Iloilo City was officially put on paper this morning.
Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. and Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) head Uldarico Garbanzos with the representatives of first town Local Government Units (LGUs) and transport cooperatives signed the agreement that was reached during the dialogue called by Gov. Defensor last June 3.
Under the agreement, all first-town transport cooperatives must submit their respective dispatch plans/schedule from the point of origin to their specific route weekly.
Forty percent of consolidated first-town PUJs with stickers can enter the city during peak hours: 6:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to midnight while only 25 % can enter during off-peak hours.
Meanwhile, on Saturdays, 40% can enter the city all day. 100% of first-town PUJs can enter the city during Sundays and holidays.
It is also stated that they are not allowed to load or pick up passengers while inbound to their point of destination.
While outbound units are only allowed to pick up passengers in designated loading and unloading areas.
Further, prolonged stops or "paugat" and the creation of mini terminals and trip cutting are strictly prohibited.
Gov. Defensor thanked Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, through Garbanzos, for listening to the concerns of the drivers/operators of first town PUJs and the passengers.
He also thanked the transport organizations for their cooperation. He emphasized the need to improve public transportation.
