Good News For The Very Friendly Ogtonganons

According to a Facebook post by our Very Friendly councilor Migs Flores, Oton-based jeepneys have a new route! This is indeed a very good news for the Ogtonganons as this will lessen the hassle brought about by the old route, which requires passengers to ride up to three (3) different jeepneys of different routes for them to arrive at their destination.

Here is the full statement from Hon. Flores:

Dear People of Oton,

As early as 2010, we in the Committee on Public Facilities and Utilities passed a Resolution to the Iloilo City Government to allow Oton Jeepneys to enter the main thoroughfare of Iloilo City once again just like before.

The main issue that we have been prohibited to enter the city was due to traffic problems and the plea of other city jeepneys that they should be the one prioritized.

Plenty of strikes and petitions from our own jeepney owners and drivers were filed, and it was up to the Iloilo City Government to decide on the matter. We in the committee, the presidents of 2 Oton Jeepney routes, SOJODA and JODAI, and Mayor Vicente B. Flores Jr., fought and hoped for the best settlement for an extended route that may best serve our people. Indeed, it was a long and winding road. It was never an easy task.

This March 2012, the new batch of the Iloilo City Council approved the route extension of Oton jeepneys and we in the Sangguniang Bayan of Oton and the rest of the people are very much thankful and relieved.

The new route of Oton Jeepneys is extended in Iloilo City starting Monday, March 26, 2012.

Councilor RLeone Gerochi, City Council Committee on Transport Chairman, said that city loop jeepney associations do not have oppositions for Oton drivers in passing through areas not served by their jeepneys.

THE NEW EXTENDED ROUTE:

We will start from Molo Plaza, turn to Tabucan, Mandurriao and right to Barangay San Rafael along the Glicerio Pison Avenue, Ateneo de Iloilo to the diversion road, right to the diversion bridge and right turn to Gen. Luna until Molo Plaza and to Oton.

In behalf of the Committee on Public Utilities and Facilities (Transport) here in Oton, with all our people clamoring for this event to occur for years, we would like to thank our counterpart in the Iloilo City Council especially to the chairman, Councilor RLeone Gerochi and my good friends, Dave Jamora, Jason Gonzales, Lex Tupas and Tita Perla Zulueta whom I personally know :)

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for all the support!

We hope and pray that after the six months probationary period, tuloy na tuloy na ini!

MADAMO GID NGA SALAMAT!

Juan Miguel M. Flores
Chairman, Committee on Public Utilities and Facilities