By Aileen Refuerzo

 

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers plying the La Trinidad route who cut trip or deviate from their designated route of sanctions if they continue with their illegal practice that deprives commuters of the much needed transport service.

“This a fair warning to all concerned. Starting Monday, we will be strictly enforcing the rule on illegal deviation from route and will be rounding up those PUJs that violate the rule. We will impose the penalty amounting to P1,000,” the mayor said.

The problem was raised by La Trinidad municipal officials led by Councilor Nestor Fongwan Jr. in a meeting with the mayor on July 4 also attended by the heads of the Baguio City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit, City Engineering Office and the Public Order and Safety Division and the concerned jeepney association.

Fongwan told the mayor that La Trinidad commuters including students and senior citizens have complained of delayed and insufficient transport service at their loading area at the Rabbit sinkhole along Magsaysay Avenue resulting to long queues and inconveniences to the riding public and traffic problem to the city.

BCPO Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) Acting Chief PMaj. James Allen Dogao said it turned out that some La Trinidad PUJs do not complete the designated route and do a shortcut by soliciting passengers below Pilando building instead of proceeding to their staging area at slaughter and waiting for their turn at the designated loading area at sinkhole.

He said this also encourages passengers to wait at the undesignated loading area causing more traffic problems and depriving law abiding commuters of prompt transport service.

Fongwan thanked Magalong for immediately acting on the concern.

“Salamat Mayor Benjie Magalong for acting on our concern. By next week we look forward to the implementation of what we discussed and hope that the long pila or queue at the Rabbit sinkhole will be addressed,” he said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo