BAGUIO CITY: Councilor Vladimir Cayabas authored a resolution calling all drivers and/or operators of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the city to comply with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order No. 2014-013. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Baguio City Council during its regular session on Monday, June 6. The DOTr order directs the transport sector to provide or designate priority seats for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Cayabas stated that senior citizens and other vulnerable groups should be prioritized at all times and in all circumstances. He added that the transport group should comply with this policy to ensure the welfare and convenience of these vulnerable groups, especially now that public transportation is becoming a 'big concern', particularly during rush hours due to the gradual increase of population and the arrival of tourists into the city. Any individual found to have violated the ordinance shall be fined P1,000.00 for the first offense, P2,000.00 for the second offense, and P5,000.00 for the third and subsequent offenses. The city council likewise passed two similar resolutions in 2013 and 2019 respectively urging PUJ and taxi drivers to 'give priority to senior citizens, pregnant women, women with toddlers, and PWDs when queuing for jeepney and taxi rides.'
