Safety and security cluster gears for Ironman 70.3 event

By MAYA M. PADILLO

HPBS to displace thousands of drivers: progressive group

Thousands of jeepney drivers and operators in Davao City will be displaced once the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project of the government is implemented, a progressive group here said.

John Paul Dizon, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR), told MindaNews on Saturday that drivers and operators will lose their livelihood to the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), a transport modernization project that would replace the aging jeepneys with modern buses and address the problem of traffic congestion.

Under HPBS, low-floor city buses will replace the jeepneys. Dizon noted that while there are serviceable units of jeepneys and even public utility vans that can pass the roadworthiness assessment of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Davao.

In February 2019, the local government announced the HPBS, then targeted for implementation by 2021, will employ around 1,000 bus drivers.

The number of jeepney drivers in the city then was 7,200.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), HPBS will have 29 bus routes divided into four tiers: MetroDavao will form the core services that connect all major commercial centers along five routes, DavaoInter will run along with eight routes connecting the inner urban areas directly to the Davao Central Business District, DavaoFeeder will run along nine routes linking smaller centers and areas of more dispersed populations to the MetroDavao services, and DavaoLocal will provide a link between the outer rural areas of the city and main transport system or the integrated terminals.

Last March 10, Engr. Ronnel Victor Panigon, focal person for PUV Modernization Program of the LTFRB-Davao, said only those units that are over 15 years old and no longer roadworthy would be scrapped, while owners of old jeepneys that are still roadworthy can keep their units but only for private use.

Dizon said, however, that it would still deprive the drivers and operators of their livelihood as they would be prohibited from plying their usual routes to pick FHPBS, P10

Davao

City’s safety and security cluster conducted on Monday a final coordinating conference for the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Davao slated on March 24 to 26, 2023.

Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said the conference was intended for the safety and security forces to be deployed during the three-day race with the main event on the 26th.

“Gipangandaman na pud namo ang Ironman 70.3. Karon pagahimoon ang final coordinating conference para sa mga safety and security cluster na ma-deploy sa Ironman,” dela Rey said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

Dela Rey said on the part of DCPO, it will be deploying 2,500 police personnel for the said activity.

“Mas taas taas ang stretch sa kadalanan na i-cover,” she said.

On March 26, Ironman 70.3 will be staged, which will be com- posed of a 1.9-kilometer swim at the Davao Gulf, a 90-kilometer bike ride from Azuela Cove in J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City to Tagum City and back and a half-marathon or 21-kilometer run from Azuela Cove to NCCC VPlaza mall and back.

“Bantayan pud namo ang swimming na part kay delikado pud. Manghinaut ta nga walay mahitabo na disgrasya sa tanang mga athletes nga muapil sa maong events sama sa IronGirl, IronKids, and Ironman,” dela Rey said.

On March 24 at 5 p.m. will be FSAFETY, P10