PARTIAL BAN
City to initially implement Perimeter Ordinance Feb. 4

By Erly C. Garcia

Finally, the city government will already start implementing the much-delayed perimeter boundary ordinance this coming February 4, 2005 .

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas , however, said the implementation would only be partial until the other terminals could already accommodate public utility vehicles ( PUVs ).

Treñas said the PBO would be initially affect public utility vehicles coming from the central lines. These are PUVs from Pavia , Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan , New Lucena , Maasin , Janiuay , Badiangan ,, Lambunao , Calinog , and Bingawan .

PUVs coming from said towns would not be allowed to enter downtown Iloilo instead they would only be limited up to the Iloilo Terminal and General Services Incorporated (ITGSI) terminal in Brgy . Ungka in Jaro district.

ITGSI earlier hailed the city officials to court for failure to implement the ordinance.

Late last year Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Natino ordered the city government to enforce the PBO.

Treñas said other terminals are expected to be operational in late February. Terminal operators in Mandurriao and Brgy . Tagbak are still in the process of securing their respective franchises, which are currently under scrutiny by the members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod .

Once their franchises are approved, north-bound vehicles will be having their terminals at Brgy . Tagbak in Jaro district, while south-bound PUJs will be allowed only up to the Fishing Port area where their terminal is situated.

The PBO hopes to decongest heavy traffic in the City Proper area.

Based on the amended version of the ordinance the ban on provincial PUVs takes effect from Monday to Saturday starting 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.