Baguio folks nix far PUJ loading areas; SP to city transport group: Check

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY --  The city council urged the Baguio Traffic and Transport Technical Working Group (BTTTWG) to reevaluate relocation of the loading areas of several public utility jeepney lines to Governor Pack Road as complaints from the public mounted against the scheme.
    This after barangay officials, jeep drivers, and various organizations expressed opposition to executive order 114-2020 signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong relocating loading areas of jeepney lines bound for Mines View, Navy Base, Tiptop, Pacdal Liteng, Lucnab, Maria Basa, and Happy Hallow to Governor Pack Road.
    Barangay officials of Districts I and II told the council the implementation of the EO caused inconvenience to residents due to the longer distance they needed to walk to reach their destination or their new loading areas.
    They also said it was economically disadvantageous on the part of the commuters who were forced to take another ride from the loading/unloading area to their destination then vice versa.
    In his letter to the council, lawyer Zosimo Abratique, president of Chamber of Commerce Baguio Benguet Chapter Inc. and Baguio Market Vendors Alliance Consolidated Inc., said walking from the public market to the new jeepney terminal with heavy loads was a “punishment” to the people.
    Carlito Wayas, representative of the transport group, said the transfer of loading areas has affected the income of jeepney drivers since commuters are now forced to ride a cab for their convenience.
    Wayas also relayed that those jitneys situated at the farthest portion of the shared loading areas carry less passengers as commuters with short trips usually ride the nearest available jitney.
    Baguio Benguet Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (BBETA), in their letter to the council, stated the transfer of loading areas has discouraged people from going to the market since their rides are far and their loads are heavy.
Abraham Lagasca, Punong Barangay of Pacdal, suggested three options to address the plight of commuters.
    First, to allow jeepney lines to go back to their previous loading areas; second, to use Gov. Pack Rd. as staging area and Calderon St. as loading area and third, to adapt the pick-and-go scheme.
    Councilor Michael Lawana, ABC president, supported the third option describing it as the “win-win solution.”
    Engineer Juanario Borillo, member of the BTTTWG, said the pick-and-go scheme was being considered but the group has to “make some rules, plans, and lay-out of the area so that the scheme can be implemented properly.”
    Meanwhile, Borillo and Lt. Col. Oliver Panabang said relocation of loading/staging areas addressed vehicular congestion within the central business district and the long queuing of passengers especially during rush hours.
    “It is also nice to look at the positive side of this endeavor,” Borillo wrote in his report.
    Councilor Benny Bomogao, chairperson of Sanggunian’s committee on public utilities, traffic, and transport legislation, requested the BTTTWG to carefully study concerns raised by the public and present to the council their recommendations addressing these concerns within 15 days.
    Transcripts of the council proceedings as well as petitions lodged by different groups were sent to the BTTTWG for their consideration and appropriate action.