CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)–Misamis Oriental Chapter has passed a resolution seeking a dialogue with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy over the city’s new route plan for provincial public utility vehicles (PUVs).
LMP-Misamis Oriental Chapter President and Opol Mayor Jay Francis Bago said they discussed the issue during their recent meeting and agreed to seek a dialogue with Uy after the Higalaay Festival.
“Ang LMP Chapter diri sa Misamis Oriental, na-tackle na namo ni nga problema, ang dili makasulod sa centro ang mga public utility vehicles coming outside Cagayan de Oro,” Bago said.
Bago said they understand the city government’s position, noting that the policy is based on a 2007 city ordinance requiring the terminalization of provincial PUVs.
The Cagayan de Oro City Information Office has earlier described the implementation as a one-month traffic dry run intended to determine whether rerouting provincial PUVs to designated terminals can help ease traffic congestion.
Bago acknowledged that the policy may have a lawful basis and could help address traffic, but said its implementation has also caused difficulties for commuters, particularly workers and students from Misamis Oriental.
“We asked, humbly requesting the local government of Cagayan de Oro City and Sanggunian Panlungsod to temporarily suspend and hold in abeyance the implementation of the 2007 ordinance on mandatory terminalization sa PUVs,” Bago said.
He said the issue affects not only bus and PUV operators based outside Cagayan de Oro but also passengers who rely on provincial routes to reach their workplaces and schools.
“Looy kaayo kay mo-gasto pa gyud sila, labi na ug mag-ulan,” Bago said, citing the additional transportation expenses and inconvenience experienced by commuters.
The resolution was also presented during the recent meeting of the Regional Development Council.
Under the city’s current traffic dry run, provincial PUVs serving routes from the eastern and western parts of Misamis Oriental are directed to terminate at designated integrated terminals instead of entering the city’s commercial district.
City officials said the trial is intended to determine whether the revised traffic scheme can reduce traffic bottlenecks before any permanent implementation is considered.
Despite the concerns raised by the provincial mayors, Bago said he remains optimistic that the city government will consider their request for a dialogue.
“We are positive nga paminawon sa city government ang among resolution,” Bago said.
