Iloilo City Councilor Jose Maria Dela Llana has raised serious concerns about reckless driving incidents involving modern public utility jeepneys and the failure of certain cooperatives to follow traffic rules.
“Not all, but many modern jeepney drivers are reckless. I have received videos, letters, and messages from the public saying they’ve had enough of the behavior of some of these drivers,” Dela Llana said during an interview.
To validate the complaints, the councilor personally rode a modern jeepney from City Hall to Calumpang and back from Mohon Terminal, observing firsthand the driving conduct on city roads.
One of the incidents he cited was a head-on collision between a modern jeep and a private vehicle on July 6, which resulted in 13 passengers injured.
“Should we wait for more accidents to happen before we act? That’s why I am calling them out now,” he stressed.
Based on records from the past three months, 1,082 vehicular accidents were recorded in Iloilo City — and reckless driving remains the primary cause, Dela Llana revealed.
The councilor called on the Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-6)to investigate his observations.
Dela Llana also appealed to the Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) to intensify road monitoring of modernized jeepneys.
“The cooperatives must also be strict when hiring drivers. They should attend seminars and be reminded that they are responsible for human lives every time they hit the road,” he added.
Dela Llana clarified that he is not against the modernization of public transport. In fact, he supports it for its safety and environmental benefits. However, he emphasized that driver behavior is the core of the problem.
He also cited a previous incident involving a call center agent who was hit by a modern jeep while crossing the street in Megaworld, Mandurriao — a reminder, he said, of the dangers of unchecked driver conduct.
“Let’s prioritize public safety,” he stressed.IMT
