Baguio City council to PUJ drivers, operators: prioritize elders, PWDs

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – The City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday urging all drivers and/or operators of public utility jeepneys in the city to comply with Dept. of Transportation department order 2014-013.
    Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, resolution proponent, said the DOTr order directs transport sector to provide or designate priority seats for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
 Cayabas said senior citizens and vulnerable groups should be prioritized at all times and in all circumstances.
    He added transport groups 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 by reason of health, national security, or 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 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
    The city council 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.”