๐๐ฎ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ ๐, ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐โ ๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐; ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ๐๐๐น๐ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐บ
By: Joanna C. Guerrero, Info Officer IV, PGLU | Photos By: PGLU | Date: September 7, 2022
With the aim to express their intention to work hand in hand with the City Government in the resolution of terminal and transportation issues in the City of San Fernando raised by commuters in the province of La Union, Board Members Joy R. Ortega and Geraldine R. Ortega along with Atty. Mark Espenilla and Atty. Annabel Nullar of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) initiated a visit to the office of San Fernando City Mayor Dong Gualberto on September 7, 2022 at the City Hall of San Fernando, La Union to discuss possible solutions that all parties could contribute.
Among the main topics tackled were designation of pick-up and dropping points; adjustment in curfew hours and amendment of routes.
In the dialogue, LTFRB representatives asked Mayor Dong for the possible amendment of Executive Order No. 57-2022 prescribing the guidelines for the loading and unloading zones of public utility buses, odd-even scheme for public utility jeepneys and full operation of tricycle for hire to include details agreed upon during their series of consultation meetings. They also asked if the routes of PUVs pre-pandemic could be applied instead until the Land Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) of the city will be finalized and approved. LTFRB also proposed that the odd and even scheme will be suspended to allow all PUVs pass by national highway and serve more commuters. The parties also requested that clear guidelines on loading and unloading zones be released to the public so students do not need to go to the terminal anymore since its additional expense for them.
In the discussion, BM Denny Ortega suggested that routes must be planned well giving priority to the majority saying, "There are more commuters than private owners so we must adjust for the common good,โ reiterating that routes for private vehicles must be adjusted rather than PUVs.
Atty. Nullar pointed out that during the first day of classes last August 22, they personally observed the flow of traffic in schools to know if there will be congestion. After careful evaluation, they highly suggested that loading and unloading zones still be put in schools.
"Nakakaawa ang mga estudyante lalo na pag umuulan at late na makauwi. Wala ng bus or jeep after 6pm. Sana may maayos na plano by November pag nag full blast ang face to face. The terminal is not the problem, it's the rerouting that was very confusing. Kung ako lang, sana may stop sa lahat ng schools para convenient sa mga estudyante. Basic services should be given to our constituents lalo na sobrang mahal na ng pamasahe"โ said BM Joy Ortega stating her frustration over the issue.
According to Mayor Dong and Mr. Randy Abasolo of the City Planning and Development Office, they are continously studying and improving the system to ensure that it will be a win-win situation for both the commuters and the operators. According to them, the curfew for both PUJs and PUBs has been resolved and adjusted already until 8pm to accommodate more evening commuters.
BM Denny and Joy Ortega and the LTFRB expressed their gratitude to Mayor Dong for hearing out their concerns with the hope that the next days will be better for all commuters in La Union.
Related Photos:
