■ I.D. SYSTEM FOR PUJ DRIVERS PUSHED IN MANDAUE CITY

Program seeks to prevent cutting trips among jeepneys in Mandaue City.

An identification system for public utility vehicle drivers is being pushed by the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) City. Glenn Antigua, officer-in-charge of Team, said this will help them spot drivers who are trip-cutting, and help them monitor the volume of traffic in the city. “We want to implement this, just like in Cebu City, so that we will know what route they are traveling in Mandaue,” he said. Antigua expressed his dismay over Liloan PUJs that do not complete their trips to Cebu City, but instead stop in Mandaue City to pick up passengers.

The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) plans to implement an identification (ID) system for all public utility vehicle drivers in the city.

Glenn Antigua of Team said this will not only help them identify how many jeepneys and tricycles are in the city but also prevent the practice of trip-cutting.

“We want to implement this, just like in Cebu City, so that we will know what route they are traveling in Mandaue,” he said.

Antigua lamented that Liloan jeepneys or those with route numbers 25I and 25B are supposed to reach Cebu City but some of them unload their passengers within Mandaue.

“These jeepneys are just ferrying passengers wherever they want. There seems to be no control...If we have an ID system, those who cut trips will be easily identified. They can no longer deny that they have committed a violation,” he said.

Aside from that, Antigua said the ID system will make it easier for the Team to identify drivers during accidents.

According to the Public Information Office, two jeepneys were apprehended last Feb. 21 and 22 for cutting trips.

Team asked the riding public to report the jeepneys that are cutting trips or committing other traffic violations.

Drivers will have to pay a fee for the issuance of the ID. But Antingua said the amount may be included when the drivers secure clearances from their office.

Team will present the proposed ID system to Councilor Elstone Dabon, who is the chairperson of the City Council’s committee on transportation, communication and public utilities.

An ordinance, he said, is needed for the implementation of the program. /