Transport paralysis to intensify social distancing

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Taxis, tricycles, and pedicabs will no longer be allowed to ply the streets of Iloilo City during curfew hours starting Monday following the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Iloilo province.

Mayor Jerry Treñas announced this on Saturday emphasizing that social distancing should be implemented to prevent the transmission of the virus.

“There is a need for us to implement social distancing more than ever. Starting on Monday taxis, tricycles, and trisikads will no longer be allowed in Iloilo City. This is a very fast and evolving situation. We have to move fast and decide fast in order to get rid of possible,” Treñas said.

The mayor said 30 buses will cater to commuters who are mostly working in essential services beginning Monday from 5 am to 10 pm.

Ten of these buses will be provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 6.

Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said the minimum fare in the bus will be P10 regardless of origin and distance.

The buses will ply the following routes in the seven districts of the metro:

• La Paz – Baldoza Terminal, Lopez Jaena, Jereos, Going Burgos, Magdalo, Luna Lapaz, Bonifacio Drive, Gen. Luna Corner Jalandoni, Robinsons Place, Iznart South-Plaza Libertad, Jm Basa, Capitol, Quirino Bridge, Lapaz Proper
• Jaro – Ungka , Sambag, Cpu, Jaro Plaza, E. Lopez, Forbes Bridge, Jm Basa To Fort San Pedro, Ct Mall Parola – Plaza Libertad – Back To Ungka Proper.
• Jaro – Tagbak – Mac Arthur Drive – Jaro Plaza – E. Lopez – Capitol, Gen. Luna – Corner Gen. Luna – Mabini – Rob Place – Ledesma – Iznart South – Ui Rizal – City Hall – Jm Basa – Capitol – Drilon Bridge – Lapaz Market – E. Lopez – Back To Jaro  Plaza  Going To Tabuc Suba And Tagbak Terminal
• Jaro- Ungka Terminal, Diversion, Up , Timawa, Rizal St., Iloilo Terminal Market ( Super) Back To Ledesma Going Infante – Rizal – Plaza Libertad – Fort San Pedro – Jm Basa – Iznart – Gen. Luna, Diversion , Going Back To Ungka Terminal
• Molo – San Pedro Molo Terminal – Avancena – Arevalo Plaza – Mohon Terminal – Back To City Proper – Doctor’s Hospital – Delgado – Jalandoni – San Agustin – Gen. Luna, Capitol – Back To Iznart – Jm Basa – Plaza Libertad Going To Rizal – Back To Doctor’s – Mohon Terminal
• Molo – Plaza  Molo, Lopez Jaena ( Baluarte)  Fishing Port  Rizal St., Ledesma  – Iznart South – To Plaza Libertad, Fort San Pedro – Vice Versa
• Mandurriao – Aleosan – Hibao-An Terminal, Mandurriao Plaza , Q. Abeto , Tabucan , Diversion, Doctor’s Hospital – Up Delgado – Going To City Proper, Mabini – Ledesma City Proper – Plaza Libertad City Hall – Fort San Pedro ( Vice Versa)
• Mandurriao – Mandurriao Plaza – R. Mapa – Tabucan – Tabucan Bridge – Plaza Molo, Timawa Infante – Doctors – Delgado – Mabini Robinsons – Ledesma – Iznart  South – Plaza Libertad – Fort San Pedro – Vice Versa

Iloilo City is under lockdown or enhanced community quarantine starting March 20 to April 14, 2020 to limit the movement of people and prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The move mandates the closure and curfew of all public and private offices, business, commercial establishments and stores except for those providing essential services from March 20 to April 14, 2020.