City council grants temporary franchises to terminals

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

Four terminal owners who applied to operate terminals in perimeter boundary areas of the city were granted temporary franchise by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

These are the terminals in Brgy . Tagbak , Jaro , two in Brgy . Ticud Lapaz and another one in Brgy . Hiba - an Norte, in Mandurriao district. The said terminals were given 180-day period to complete the requirements in operating such business.

To note, the terminal operators were urged to install complete facilities in order to comply with the specifications of the ordinance. The said terminals should have among others, the waiting area and comfort rooms for the convenience of commuters.      

The delayed implementation of the perimeter boundary ordinance was mainly due to lack of terminal facilities. Only the Iloilo Terminal and General Services Inc. (ITGSI) in Brgy . Ungka , Jaro was given franchise by the city council.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expects these terminals to start operating next week. “The terminals can't put up improvements if they had no franchise,” he said.

Meanwhile, Treñas stressed that provincial utility jeepneys ( PUJs ) plying the routes of Northern and Aleosan Lines are issued with 10 car passes for each of the towns. This   after the drivers clamored that they have less car passes required in making their trips into the city's thoroughfares, particularly in going to the Iloilo Terminal Market.