By Gerome Dalipe IV
ILOILO City – The City Council wants to create a traffic inspection board that will oversee the overall operations and management of all public transport terminals operating in the metropolis.
The creation of the Transport Terminal Inspection Board (TTIB) is necessary to address various issues hounding public terminals amid the implementation of the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of Iloilo City, said Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chairperson of the council’s transport committee.
The above-proposed policy-making body will primarily be responsible for the inspection, regulation, and classification of the jeepney terminals and seaports in Iloilo City.
“It shall formulate quality standards that must be complied with to promote and protect the interest and welfare of commuters and riding public,” read Cabaluna’s committee report.
The council passed on first reading of the proposed ordinance during their session last week.
The city government recently implemented the enhanced route plan despite hesitations from various stakeholders and transport sectors due to a lack of proper mechanisms, training, and government support for the transport cooperatives.
While the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-6) in Western Visayas reported a 72.2 percent franchise consolidation rate, the transport coop officials lamented about their dismal state under the fleet management system.
In Iloilo City, the DOTr approved 25 rationalized routes out of the original 35 routes before the approval of the LPTRP.
Out of 2,535 traditional jeepneys in the city, the DOTr authorized 1,782 modern jeepneys to ply these 25 approved rationalized routes comprising old and new routes. Some 1,782 of these awarded units have been allocated to 14 transport cooperatives and two corporations.
The transport cooperatives were given only one year to comply with the required number of allocated mini-buses.
Officials of transport cooperatives voiced their concern about the program because of the internal conflicts hounding the transport coops.
These include management style, financial matters, and lack of proper training in operating under a fleet management system.
During the committee hearing, Cabaluna noted the existing ordinance granting franchise to terminal operators to establish and operate the public terminals failed to provide for the creation of an inspection team.
Underscoring the significance of terminals as gateways to the city, Cabaluna said local and foreign visitors will have lasting impressions on their experience using the public terminals.
The ordinance also seeks to classify public terminals in compliance with their standards. These include Class A, B, or C depending on their capacity to meet basic compliance requirements.
“The specific qualifications for each terminal class will be determined by the board. Once classified, compliant terminals can be given various benefits and privileges,” read Cabaluna’s report.
These incentives would include tax incentives in terminal fees upon recommendation by the board, among others.
To prevent corruption, the TTIB will create an inspection team and should have proper IDs, uniforms, and inspection documentation.
The inspection team will also provide a detailed checklist for compliance of the transport terminal operators./PN
