DAD reminds transport sector to prioritize elderly, pregnant, PWD’s

June 11, 2022 Metro BLISTT

Councilor Vladimir Cayabas passed a resolution calling all drivers and/or operators of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the city to comply with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order No. 2014-013.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the Baguio City Council during its regular session last Monday.
The said DOTr order directs the transport sector to provide or designate priority seats for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Cayabas stated that senior citizens and other vulnerable groups should be prioritized at all times and in all circumstances.
He added that the transport group should comply with this policy to ensure the welfare and convenience of these vulnerable groups, especially now that public transportation is becoming a “big concern”, particularly during rush hours due to the gradual increase of population and the arrival of tourists into the city.
“Consistent observance [of this policy] will educate passengers and even those direct beneficiaries who are not yet aware of this policy,” he added.
In 2019, the city council enacted an ordinance amending Ordinance 25-1990 (First Come, First Served Ordinance) Section 1 of the amendatory ordinance categorically states that senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, women with babies, and persons who because of health, national security, or the public interest, need immediate goods and/or services are exempted from the “first-come, first-served” policy. This means that the aforementioned groups shall be prioritized when entering PUVs.
Any individual found to have violated the ordinance shall be fined P1,000.00 for the first offense, P2,000.00 for the second offense, and P5,000.00 for the third and subsequent offenses. The city council likewise passed two similar resolutions in 2013 and 2019 respectively urging PUJ and taxi drivers to “give priority to senior citizens, pregnant women, women with toddlers, and PWDs when queuing for jeepney and taxi rides.”
Sangguniang Panlungsod/JGH