TO ADDRESS the transportation woes of commuters in this town, local officials of Masantol have asked the jeepney operators and drivers associations (JODAs) based here to resume their trips going in and out of the municipality.
During Tuesday's Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emergency meeting held at the Municipal Hall, Mayor Danilo Guintu and Councilor Boboy Lacap, Committee on Transportation chairman, talked with officials of San Fernando-Apalit-Masantol JODA and Damayan JODA to allot at least five jeepneys each that can ply the route of Masantol daily.
Since the start of the construction of Caduang Tete Bridge and the flooded area in Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol road, Guintu said passenger jeepneys have either cut their trip up to Barangay Caduang Tete in Macabebe, or have stopped their operation.
"We understand that they too are having difficulties plying the route. All we ask is to help people who really need to travel," he said.
Guintu said that JODA officials can traverse the portion of Arayat-Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol setback levee from Barangay Sulipan in Apalit town going to Barangay Bebe Anac here, avoiding the Caduang Tete Bridge and other flooded areas along the way.
Lacap said he will lend the open area in Barangay Bebe Anac owned by his family to serve as temporary parking and terminal of jeepneys here as assistance to the JODAs. From there, passengers can ride the 6x6 truck going to the municipal hall for free sponsored by the local government.
"We need to act immediately to lessen the inconvenience experienced by our townmates stranded by floods, particularly students and those who report for work," he said.
Meanwhile, Guintu said he already coordinated with local officials of Macabebe to clear their portion of the dike from vehicles that are illegally parked to give way to the passenger jeepneys.
At least five passenger jeepneys are expected to resume their trip today at 5 a.m. after SAMJODA agreed with the local government's suggestion yesterday, while Damayan JODA is yet to respond to the request.
