LTFRB eyes fare adjustment for provincial PUVs

By Erly C. Garcia

There should be adjustments in the fare rate of public utility vehicles ( PUVs ) that will be affected by the partial implementation of the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO).

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director Porfirio Clavel said PUVs affected by the PBO should reduce their fares since their original routes are cut .

The PBO limits the entry of PUVs coming from the municipalities to the designated terminals outside the city.

Presently, the computation of the fare rate of provincial PUVs starts from their point of origin up to the city proper.

Clavel , however, said his office could not yet make definite fare adjustments because they are still waiting for the Sangguniang Panglungsod resolution relative to the new routes of city loop vehicles affected by the PBO.

The initial implementation February 4, 2005 will 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.

In the absence of official fare adjustment from the LTFRB, Clavel called on the drivers and the commuters to understand each other.

Clavel assured that he would facilitate the processing official fare adjustment the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas hopes that the ordinance will be fully implemented within this month.

He said other terminal operators are already on the process of securing franchises from the city government.

The SP committee on transportation, communication, energy and public utilities had favorably endorsed the franchises of the terminal operators in Brgy . Tagbak Jaro for northern lines, Brgy . Hibao - an Norte, Mandurriao for Aleosan and Brgy . Ticud , Lapaz for northern Iloilo coastal lines.

South-bound PUVs on the other hand will utilize as their terminal portion of the Fishing Port Complex in Molo .

Earlier, the presidents of the nine drivers associations from the central lines protested the partial implementation of the PBO.

Among other reasons, the drivers associations claimed that no comprehensive public consultations were held regarding the PBO.

They also claimed that they were given no choice to select their own terminal that can offer them affordable terms and conditions.

They also questioned the terminal fees imposed by the terminal operator.

The News Today learned that each vehicle has to pay at least P20 every time it leaves the ITGSI terminal in Brgy . Ungka , Jaro .

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.