Cebu City eyes waiving Balik Pasada IDs as Inter-LGU jeeps return

A traditional jeepney in Mandaue City with a route that also covers Cebu City. CDN Digital photo/Mary Rose Sagarino

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Jeepney Task Force plans on waiving the need for Balik Pasada IDs as the city allows the reentry of public utility jeepney (PUJs) doing cross-boundary travels.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, the task force chairperson, said jeepney operators covering inter-local government unit (Inter-LGU) routes would need to secure first a Travel Line from Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) before they can operate here.

As a result, they wanted to do away with the need for operators and drivers to acquire the Balik Pasada IDs.

“We are planning to waive the Balik Pasada IDs, to make it easy for them (to return to operate in Cebu City) but I want to make it clear that I cannot waive what is found in the ordinance, and that is the need for a travel line,” said Cuenco in a mix of English and Cebuano.

On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Executive Order (EO) Mayor Edgardo Labella issued to allow cross-border jeepneys entry in the city has taken effect.

Labella’s orders came approximately six months after traditional PUJs (TPUJs) were finally given clearance to resume operations in the city, which is under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

But even if the mayor has reopened the city for jeeps doing cross-border travels, Cuenco said they are not expecting an increase in the numbers of TPUJs plying on the streets.

“We might only see a few (inter-LGU TPUJs), especially that we still have limited entry points on the borders,” he added.

“But we’re hoping that with this development, it would lessen the burden for our riding public,” he added.

Since September 2020, the city government has issued over 400 Balik Pasada IDs to TPUJ drivers and operators.

RELATED STORY: What Mandaue City or Talisay City jeepneys can enter Cebu City?

/bmjo