Thirty-six public utility jeepneys (PUJ) under the Loakan Jitney Transport Cooperative are now allowed to cater to residents of Loakan Proper, particularly Purok Ongasan, who are affected by the resumption of operations of the Loakan Airport.
Upon the request of the City Engineering Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Cordillera granted special permits to these 36 PUJs to ply on the route Baguio City-Ongasan via runway access (Bleeding heart-PEZA), Loakan Road, and vice versa.
These units are divided into odd and even groups. Eighteen units belonging to the odd group are authorized to operate on the said route during odd calendar days while the other 18 units belonging to the even group are authorized to operate only on even calendar days.
In the city council’s session last March 20, LTFRB-CAR Hearing Officer Laird Dionel Urbanozo said the units are not allowed to pick up passengers along roads that are covered by the route serviced by other transport cooperatives. He said this was the agreement during one of the consultations attended by the Loakan Jitney Transport Cooperative and other concerned transport cooperatives.
The request for jeepneys to service the affected community originated from a resolution passed by the city council in December 2022. In the resolution, the city council tasked the City Engineering Office to coordinate with LTFRB-CAR to study the possibility of an additional route.
The BCDEO suggested the city government initiate the acquisition of funds needed for the proposed construction of an alternate route with the help of the Office of Rep. Marquez Go.
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and Councilor Benny Bomogao, however, urged the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways to consult its Legal Department and find out if the latter can fund the construction of the alternate route in accordance with the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling. – Jordan G. Habbiling
April 20, 2024
