NO TIGIL PASADA IN BAGUIO ON NOV. 20-PUJ FEDERATION

November 18, 2023 Metro BLISTT

Alleged overcharging of jeepney fares in Irisan

The Baguio-Benguet Public Utility Jeepney Federation will not join the nationwide transport strike
being planned by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) on Nov. 20-23, 2023. Federation president Wilson Bumay-et Jr. in a statement dated Nov. 16, 2023
said their group “will never resort to such a protest that will negatively impact the riding public.”

“Time and again, the Federation wishes to let the government, the public and all concerned know that public service is our priority,” Bumayet stressed. Mayor Benjamin Magalong once again thanked the group for their selflessness and commitment to public service. “We are just grateful to them as always.” The federation, which represents almost 95 percent of jeepney associations within
Baguio City and Benguet province, has not been known to join transport protests in recent years.

Last March when another mass action was planned nationwide, Bumay-et said they did not support the strike as it “demeans the principle of public service which does not only mean providing public
transportation on our part but also providing help to those in need.” “As providers of essential
services at a rate where the public can afford, the continuity of our service is of much more importance than the recognition or compensation we may receive,” he said. ALLEGED OVERCHARGING OF JEEPNEY FARES IN IRISAN

Meanwhile, commuters in Barangay Irisan have raised complains of the alleged over charging of fares by public utility jeepneys (PUJ) drivers and operators plying in several areas in the said barangay. The affected residents including students are set to meet Mayor Benjamin Magalong, members of the city council , the department of transportation, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and barangay officials to address their complain.

In a telephone interview on Friday (Nov. 17), Barangay Arthur Carlos assured this writer that he will immediately meet the officials of Irisan Jeepney Drivers Operators Association (IJODA)- Transport Cooperative to discuss the problem. By doing so, areas for consideration include – determine the fare matrix base imposed by LTFRB following distance and various routes in the said barangay. Earlier, in a chance interview with Anert Bangsael, chairman of IJODA-Transport Cooperative , denied the allegations lodged against the transport group.

Bangsael, however, said he will meet with the other officials to threshout the issue, and promised to meet members of the media to clarify the issue and to give his group side. This writer made several follow-ups through text message and call, but to date no response.

APR /Baguio-PIO/ Primo Agatep/ABN