ILOILO – Current congested and outdated terminals for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and buses must be modernized to make them efficient, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
During a meeting with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, on June 18 at the DOTr Office, PRIMEX Building in Greenhills, San Juan City, Defensor requested funding to establish dedicated PUJ passenger terminals.
“We will take responsibility and seek assistance from the DOTr in constructing good terminals,” said Defensor.
The initiative follows observations of overcrowding and the dilapidated state of existing terminals used by PUJs and their passengers.
Defensor particularly aims to upgrade the terminals used for both the province loop and city loop jeepneys.
Plans include coordinating with the Iloilo City Government to support the development of these passenger terminals.
Currently, the terminals servicing both city and provincial loop jeepneys include the People’s Terminal in Pavia town; Christ the King Terminal and Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City; Mohon Terminal in Arevalo district; and Hibao-an Terminal in Mandurriao district.
Defensor explained that the construction of passenger terminals for PUJs and buses is beyond the financial capability of local government units (LGUs) and necessitates national government assistance.
“I’m raising this issue because the terminal requires significant funding, which might be feasible with national government help,” Defensor added.
He cited the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx), established through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), as a model. Defensor is exploring the possibility of implementing a similar PPP approach for terminal construction in Iloilo./PN
