THE ILOILO provincial board has reiterated its appeal to the Iloilo City government to reassess its new transport scheme, which limits provincial jeepneys from entering the city.
In a statement released Wednesday by the provincial government, Board Member Ramon G. Sullano, chair of the committee on transportation, said they are hoping to meet with city officials, transport groups and officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to address the issues and concerns of both drivers and commuters.
Mr. Sullano noted that the board passed a resolution in March calling for a review of the transport plan, which the Iloilo City government started implementing on June 12.
Iloilo City is categorized as an independent highly-urbanized city and is not under the administration of the provincial government.
The provincial board resolution requested Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas to temporarily suspend the implementation of the ordinance on the new route plan, citing the “spiraling increase in the prices of crude oil, gasoline and other petroleum products”.
“(T)he transport groups and the passengers coming from the municipalities will be burdened by taking multiple rides and exorbitant transportation fares,” the board said.
Provincial Gov. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., meanwhile, said in the same statement that the Provincial Planning and Development Office is continuously getting feedback and coordinating with their counterpart in the Iloilo City government.
Mr. Treñas has said that they are gathering inputs on the new routes and willing to make adjustments within a six-month trial period.
“We will have a continuing dialogue and consultation with all the sectors, especially the commuters including the barangays so that we can fine tune the route plan within a period of 6 months,” the mayor said in a statement released on June 15. — MSJ
