Alliance smashes PBO

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

While Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is seriously pushing for the full implementation of the perimeter boundary ordinance, an alliance is strongly opposing this new traffic law which they claimed has adversely affected the riding public.

The newly-formed Pumuluyo Kontra PBO (Perimeter Boundary Ordinance) in a statement stressed that “the partial implementation of the ordinance did not answer the traffic problem but it hurts the commuters and majority of the provincial drivers and operators as well as the city loop transport groups”.

The group, organized on February 11, is composed of transport associations under Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON- Panay ), City Loop of Iloilo Owners and Drivers Jeepney Association (CLIODJA) and Hugpong Transport; local officials; people's organizations such as Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras ( Pamanggas ), Bayan , Iloilo Youth and Student Alliance (IYSA); party-list group Bayan Muna and commuters represented by Erna Doromal .

PISTON spokesman Jun Abellon stressed that since 2003, the transport sector had been protesting the execution of the PBO. He said their basis why PBO should be scrapped is that the ordinance is “pro-capitalists”.

Jun Abellon

Abellon added that the riding public is stricken by the increase in fare while their salaries remained the same. Likewise, he said that drivers of Jaro CPU route would experience 40 percent drop in income since they rely greatly on the bulk of passengers from Aleosan and Northern lines unloaded in Jaro Plaza .

SM City-Arrastre drivers' association president Gaspar Grejate noted the ordinance lacked public consultation. The CLIODJA even cited that their proposals were never heard. He added that they in the transport sector should join their efforts and sue the city government.

Meanwhile, Pamanggas leader Sonny Talibo pointed out the banning of provincial public utility jeepneys to enter the city particularly in the Iloilo Terminal Market has adverse effect to the farmers in the province.

Talibo said that it has created burden to them since they have to unload the products at the terminals and pay for the additional transport cost in bringing it to market. He added this is unfavorable to their plight which is already worsened by expensive fertilizers and low value of farm products.

IYSA spokesperson Karen Edaniel said that different school councils had meet recently creating an outlet where students have to express their concern regarding the extra fare expenses since they have to take a double ride in going to schools.

The alliance also argued that traffic congestions occur in areas of Iznart , JM Basa , Gen. Luna, Bonifacio Drive and Luna streets, but none of these thoroughfares are being utilized by provincial buses and jeepneys.

The group added that data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) showed that PUVs are not the main cause of traffic jams since it comprise only about 13 percent compared to the 86.2 percent number of government and private vehicles.

With this, the group strongly demands to repeal the PBO and adopt schemes that will reduce traffic problems and provide better transportation services to the people. They propose the strict implementation of good ordinances like “no parking and no jaywalking”; rationalization of traffic routes and signs throughout the city; maximizing the use of existing roads within the city proper; and regulation of both private and public vehicles at particular streets and time through color-coding or odd-even scheme.

Further, they urge the passage of an ordinance that will prohibit the issuance of new franchise in the city loop particularly coming from nearby municipalities; regulation of Metro Iloilo Development Council (MIDC) bound   routes by prohibiting them in passing through the center of the city; and widening of narrow roads and construction of additional road networks.

“With these demands, we call on both the city and provincial governments to stand on the side of the general welfare of the people,” the group appealed.