Baguio traffic committee ask to review transfer of PUJ loading areas

September 20, 2020 Metro BLISTT

The city council called on the Baguio Traffic and Transport Technical Working Group (BTTTWG) to reevaluate the relocation of the loading areas of several jitney lines to Governor Pack Road.
This after barangay officials, jitney drivers, and various organizations expressed opposition on the implementation of Executive Order 114-2020 signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong
relocating the loading areas of jitney lines bound for Mines View, Navy Base, Tiptop, Pacdal Liteng, Lucnab, Maria Basa, and Happy Hallow to Governor Pack Road.
Barangay officials of Districts I and II told the council the implementation of the EO causes inconveniences to the residents due to the longer distance they need to walk to reach their destination or their new loading areas.
They also said it is economically disadvantageous on the part of the commuters who are forced to take another ride from the loading/unloading area to their destination then vice versa. In his letter to the council, Atty. Zosimo Abratique, President of Chamber of Commerce Baguio Benguet Chapter Inc. and Baguio Market Vendors Alliance Consolidated Inc., said walking from the public market to the new jitney terminal with heavy loads is a “punishment” to the people.
Carlito Wayas, representative of the transport group, said the transfer of loading areas has affected the income of jeepney drivers since commuters are now forced to ride a cab for their convenience.
Wayas also relayed that those jitneys situated at the farthest portion of the shared loading areas carry less passengers as commuters with short trips usually ride the nearest available jitney. Baguio Benguet Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (BBETA), in their letter to the council, stated the transfer of loading areas has discouraged people from going to the market since their rides are far and their loads are heavy.
Abraham Lagasca, Punong Barangay of Pacdal, suggested three options to address the plight of commuters. First, to allow the jitney lines to go back to their previous loading areas; second, to use Gov. Pack Rd. as the staging area and Calderon St. as the loading area; and third, to adopt the pick-and- go scheme.
Councilor Michael Lawana, ABC President, supported the third option describing it as the “winwin solution.”
Engr. Juanario Borillo, member of the BTTTWG, said the pick-and-go scheme is being considered but the group has to “make some rules, plans, and lay-out of the area so that the scheme can be implemented properly.”
Meanwhile, Borillo and Pol.Lt.Col. Oliver Panabang reiterated that the relocation of loading/staging areas has addressed the vehicular congestion within the heart of the city and the long queuing of passengers especially during rush hours.
“It is also nice to look at the positive side of this endeavor,” Borillo wrote in his report. Councilor Benny Bomogao, chairperson of Sanggunian’s Committee on Public Utilities, Traffic, and Transport legislation, requested the BTTTWG to carefully study the concerns raised by the public and present to the council their recommendations addressing these concerns within 15 days.
Transcripts of the council proceedings as well as the petitions lodged by different groups were sent to the BTTTWG for their consideration and appropriate action.
Jordan G. Habbiling/ABN