Local bets make vows on local economy, transportation

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Local council candidates in Pavia, Iloilo on Saturday promised to act on pandemic-related relief, solve current public transportation woes, and improve access to basic social services should they be given a chance in the May 9 elections.

Four out of the 16 official Sangguniang Bayan candidates in the town elections attended a forum hosted by the GT Town Center, including independent candidate Enecita Lobaton, former councilor JP Peñol and former local police officer Rhia Sotomil of the Nacionalista Party, and incumbent Pyt Trimañez of the National Unity Party.

Re-electionist Mayor Luigi Gorriceta was present to show support to the members of his slate who are present.

ECONOMY

On the issue of pandemic relief, Trimañez said that he would re-file an ordinance that would pause the collection of rental fees from vendors at the Pavia Public Market for one month.

Trimañez said that the measure failed to pass in their level due to questions which he did not specify.

But he assured that he will push for an ordinance which will help promote local businesses in the town, including for baye-baye, homemade ice cream, and pottery, among other local products.

“After this election, because surely we will be coming back, and we will have new colleagues [who] I am sure are also open-minded, who will support this [rent freeze] plan,” Trimañez said.

“Personally, I am planning to create a measure where we can help local businesses, even just in the marketing of their products. Our town has a lot of industries. One thing we are proud of is our ‘baye-baye’ which we should talk about a lot so that many will buy from our local entrepreneurs and producers,” he added.

Sotomil said she will give priority to small-time businesses in engaging them during the local government’s activities.

“We will be giving them a chance to offer their products to Pavianhons. We will study in the council what else we can do to support small businesses in Pavia because we know many are involved especially when the pandemic arrived in our area,” Sotomil said.

Peñol, who is currently a school executive and a restaurant owner, said that solutions should start to come from the immediate needs of the public.

“We need to consult the people and consolidate them to create post-COVID operational measures which we will implement in the town. We have to set an inspiration to all others, so we can be organized and will continue to progress beyond the pandemic,” he said.

TRANSPORTATION

On transportation, Trimañez, Sotomil, and Peñol all agreed on the introduction and improvement of cycling facilities in the town.

Trimañez cited his resolution urging the Department of Public Works and Highways to fund and install protective bike lanes at the national highway from Brgy. Ungka Dos to Brgy. Cabugao Sur.

“We are encouraging Pavianhons that if their destination is near, they should use bikes so that they can save on fares and they can also help the environment, and that the same time that is one of the best forms of exercise,” said Trimañez.

Peñol noted areas which may not be passable to bikers because of poor street lighting and urged strengthening traffic auxiliaries to guide bikers.

He mulled that local businesses should be required to install bike racks so that the two-wheeled machines can be parked safely.

“Here in Pavia, we have to make sure that there will be an ordinance to protect bikers, which will also take care of them,” he said.

“It is also important that our business sectors should already consider to install bike parking and it is important that there should be available tools [in the parking area] in case they get flat tires or need repairs,” he added.

Peñol also took pride in the Municipal Traffic Code of 2021 which he passed as chief of the local legislature’s transportation committee, as well as the town’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), which was still pending with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

He also cited recent resolutions by the town council urging the Iloilo City Government to allow continuing operations of jeepneys traversing between their areas.

“Other towns’ SB committees on transportation are taking cues from our resolution. I hope we can be helped to extend to the LTFRB and the [Department of Transportation] so our jeepneys can continue operating,” he said.

On public transportation, Peñol said that there must be equal treatment between permanent and temporary residents of the town, suggesting that there must be public consultation before any changes to the local transportation system can be made.

He also mulled that the Iloilo City government should revisit its own traffic management edicts, as their transport rules will also affect Pavia residents, as well as support to tricycle and trisikad drivers amid the increase of fuel prices.

“If we can sit down, whoever is with the transportation committee, we will revisit the [local] Traffic Management Code and see what we can improve, but to improve that, there must be consultation with our constituents. That is very important,” said Peñol.

Pavia has the second highest number of voters in the second district of Iloilo province with 39,084 voters according to the Commission on Elections.