THE Davao City Council cannot stop the phasing out of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to give way for the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), a councilor said.
Dabawenyo Kontra Jeepney Phaseout Coalition, a joint group of jeepney drivers and operators in Davao City, along with different transport groups, earlier called for the stoppage of the HPBS implementation.
The coalition opposed the planned PUJ phaseout as it would not only affect the drivers and operators but also the riding public.
Transmission-Piston (Piston) secretary general and Dabawenyo Kontra Jeepney Phaseout Coalition member Larry Arguelles said they will raise their concern to Councilor Conrado Baluran.
Baluran, however, said on Thursday, February 20, the local council has no authority to intervene in the HPBS implementation since the project has long been planned and deliberated.
He also said that they do not have the control in terms of renewing the franchises of existing PUJs for it is under the jurisdiction of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
"It is beyond our authority. Tungod kung tan-aw sa LTFRB dili na pwede i-renew, kung dili good conditioned, wala kita'y mahimo ana (If the LTFRB thinks these jeeps are not suitable to be renewed because it is not in good condition, then we can't do anything about it)," Baluran told reporters.
The HPBS is the city's efforts to support the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which has the goal of making the country's public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020.
Baluran has not yet received the coalition's formal statement, which the group planned to endorse to the councilor within the week.
But Baluran said his committee would still listen to their plea.
He said the modernized bus system would entail "sacrifices" since many PUJ drivers and operators would be displaced, but he added the city had already planned it before executing the implementation.
He said at present, the City Government and his committee plan to open developmental routes, which PUJs are not currently plying, in some areas in the city but this would be limited to PUJ units recently bought, and Euro-4 compliant.
Baluran underscored that the transition toward the bus system is "gradual" considering the shift towards a modernized transport system is crucial.