ILOILO City – The five major land transport terminals here have lots of deficiencies that must be fixed in time for the implementation of the city government’s Land Public Transport Route Plan (LTPRP) on June 12.
They risk losing their franchises to operate if they won’t.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 recently inspected these terminals located in the city’s border barangays of Ungka and Tagbak (Jaro district), Villa-Mohon (Arevalo district), Hibao-an (Mandurriao district), and Baldoza (La Paz district).
“Generally indi sila passing, damu kakulangan gid,” said Atty. Jun Altura, the LTFRB-6 legal counsel.
Among these deficiencies were the transport terminals’ unpaved parking areas, cramped or limited parking spaces and insufficient benches for waiting passengers, said Altura.
Transport terminals are required to be in sync with the government’s transport modernization program, which means they must be able to accommodate modernized jeepneys which are decidedly heftier in height, width and length than traditional jeepneys, stressed Altura.
In Memorandum Circular 2008-013, transport terminals are also required to have the following:
* roofing that would provide sufficient shade to passengers from the heat of the sun or rain
* wide entrances and exits for easy mobility to and from the terminal
* communication facilities (telephone, fax machine, internet, etc.)
* public address system and security cameras
* information and passenger assistance counters
* appropriate and adequate signage
* sufficient number of security personnel
* separate restrooms for males, females and persons with disabilities that at all times must be clean, sufficiently lighted, well-ventilated, with running water, flush system, toilet seat with cover and lavatory, waste bin, toilet paper, mirror, dispenser with soap, hand dryer, and functional door lock
* priority lane for persons with special needs (pregnant women, persons with disabilities, mothers travelling with small children)
Under the LTPRP of Iloilo City that LTFRB approved, provincial jeepneys can no longer enter the city. They can only ship passengers up to the terminals. City-loop jeepneys will take the passengers to the city from the terminal.
Today, according to Altura, LTFRB and the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) will meet the transport terminal operators to discuss their deficiencies and how soon they could address them to meet the requirements.
“Klaro nga damu deficiencies na-observe naton. Kon ang reckoning period for them to comply is June 12, they could not possibly immediately do it. Pero intindihan ta man ang economic aspect sini,” said Altura.
“Mabal-an naton kon willing gid man sila to continue to operate. Kon indi, pangitaan naton sang iban nga alternatibo. I-offer ta sa iban,” Altura added, referring to the transport terminals’ franchises to operate.
He, however, pointed out that while the LPTRP will be implemented by June 12, majority of the jeepneys operating are still the traditional ones.
This, he said, gives transport terminal operators time to make improvements in their facilities.
Mohon Terminal operations manager Lyndon Acap said they are ready to comply with the recommendations of the LTFRB inspection team.
These included improving facilities such as the comfort rooms, widening and elevation of the arrival area, provision additional bleachers for passengers and reducing the number of canteens and eateries inside the terminal./PN
