Treñas defends PBO amid strike staged by prov'l PUJs
Mayor Jerry Treñas downplayed the transport strike being staged by drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the province of Iloilo.
Treñas said the three-day strike which started yesterday did not affect businesses and offices in the city.
Drivers and operators under the Federation of Iloilo Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (Fijoda) are protesting the implementation of the city's Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO).
PBO regulates the entry of provincial PUJs to the city.
Treñas apologized for the inconvenience the ordinance has brought to the provincial PUJs but he said the PBO is needed to decongest traffic in the city.
Treñas compared his situation to a "bibingka" a native delicacy cooked with flames on the upper and lower side of the cooking panel.
Pressures have been mounting for the city mayor to dip his hands in the implementation of the ordinance. The municipal mayors joined hands to ask for the consideration of the chief executive but to no avail. Several meetings have been made to reconsider the implementation of the ordinance but no compromise was reached.
Treñas noted that any revision in the ordinance needs the action and recommendation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The recommendation will come from the Traffic Technical Working Group and the committee on transportation, communication and public utilities both headed by Councilor Erwin Plagata. The Traffic Technical Working Group was created to study and make recommendations in solving the city's traffic problems.
Meanwhile, Treñas asked the understanding of the public with the setting up of the railings along Benigno Aquino Avenue, commonly known Diversion Road, in Mandurriao district. The installation of the railings was meant to ease the traffic problems in the area.
The railings limit the pedestrian to cross portions of the street especially during rush hours. Pedestrians are encouraged instead to use the overpass near a mall.
The railings are installed to help improve the traffic in the area and not to make it difficult to the pedestrians. Public understanding and cooperation is asked in order to further improve the flow of traffic in the city, said Treñas.