by Rose Anne Mae Alejo, Dannica Maravilla, Queennie Quijano

DARAGA, ALBAY – With no proper terminal, commuters experience disorderly and unorganized queuing at the Cumadcad-Daraga pick-up station. 

Jane Cadocoy, 25, who has been riding the Cumadcad-Daraga route for almost 10 years said that her frustration stems from a lack of queuing system and inconsistent scheduling of jeepneys, which keep her stranded or waiting for too long.   

“It’s really difficult, especially when you’re carrying something or if you are with a child or elderly person. There’s no proper line, and people often rush to get on the jeepney, so sometimes those who arrive later end up boarding first,” she said. 

Cadocoy said she said jeepneys take a long time to arrive, while other times it’s too early leaving passengers without available rides. 

“Back when I was a student, sometimes by 6 p.m. there were no jeepneys already, and we had to wait for vehicles coming from Manila that would take passengers to Sorsogon and board them to get home,” she said. 

Cadocoy shared that having a terminal in Daraga would solve the daily problem at the pick-up station. 

“I hope it will be organized, with proper lines, so boarding won’t be difficult—especially during rush hour,” she said. 

Kevin Manliclic, 20, a student of Daraga Community College, points out that there is no actual line at the pick-up station, just passengers simply rushing to get on the jeepney. 

“Its a bit unfair to those who arrive earlier. I understand everyone is tired after a long day, but sometimes it becomes unfair. The worst part is that people living nearby often get to board first, while those from farther areas like Cumadcad, Sogoy, and Pilar are left behind,” he said. 

When asked about a possible solution, Manliclic said a proper boarding system could also work at Caltex, as long as commuters are responsible and respect those who arrive first. 

He also recounted that he experienced being injured while trying to board the jeepney due to the rush of commuters wanting to secure a seat. 

“I’ve experienced being squeezed, hurt, and in the worst cases, even injured just trying to get on. But pushing and rushing is hard to avoid in such a chaotic setup,” he said. 

Manliclic said that he didn’t think the issue on the disorganized line was really a matter for the local government unit (LGU) anymore. 

“If commuters themselves understand, handle things properly, and show respect, everything could run smoothly. It’s really up to us,” he said. 

Lack of Discipline causes disorganized queuing

The Daraga Public Safety Office (PSO) shared that the disorder at the pick-up station is a matter of discipline. 

“If passengers observe proper queuing, there will be no disorder at the pick-up station,” PSO said. 

Annalisa Estacio, 53, a resident of Mayon, Daraga, Albay, shared her struggles on choosing to ride a jeepney with Daraga-Cumadcad route for almost four months. 

“It’s hard when there is no organized line, because “paunahan” right? Those who are ahead, fall behind,” she said. 

Estacio mentioned that she’s been experiencing it for a long time, even not during rush hour. Emphasizing that the situation is understandable as for those who want to go home first, rather than having an accident, just give way to other passengers who want to go first.

When asked about what the LGU’s action should be, Estacio said that they should find a place. 

“I hope there is a proper place for vehicles, passengers, so everyone is safe. So that even if you’re waiting for a vehicle, there is a shelter [terminal with roof] and a line that is well-organized,” she emphasized her desired outcome for what kind of terminal should Daraga have. 

According to Cristeto Melchor Salas Mendez, PSO Officer-in-charge, their responsibility is only limited to information dissemination regarding the existing rules and regulations implemented in Daraga to the members of the cooperatives. 

“Regarding the disorder or tension at the pick-up station, this has been entrusted to the concerned drivers’ cooperative to implement the proper flow of passengers,” Mendez said. 

He also added that despite being short-staffed, the PSO continues to deploy personnel to assist and remind passengers to observe proper lining at pick-up stations.

PSO advised commuters to follow rules and practice discipline to ensure safe travel. 

Jeepney Driver claims terminal will bring order

While the passenger expressed frustration due to the absence of jeepney in Daraga pick-up station, jeepney drivers explained that obstructions in Daraga are not caused by the jeepney driver but the tricycle that frequently stops along the road. 

Alias “Raymond,” a 33-year-old jeepney driver who has been driving since he turned 18, said they are not  the cause of obstruction in the road. 

“We are not really the issue since we’re mostly on the side of the road,” he said. 

According to him the main problem comes from tricycles that frequently stop to pick up passengers. 

Alias “Raymond” explained that the Cumadcad-Daraga route pick up station is more manageable compared to other pick up stations such as the route of Daraga to Anislag that causes heavier traffic. 

He added that if a terminal would be established in Daraga, he hopes that it will bring order and unite all jeepneys in one place, instead of having them scattered across different pick-up stations.

“It would really be good to have a terminal so that passengers could board in an orderly manner, and there wouldn’t be any issues among jeepney drivers [rushing to pick up passengers],” he said. 

A 48 years old jeepney driver alias “Jovin” has been driving for only a month, said the Cumadcad-Daraga pick-up station is not cramped.

“It only becomes crowded when there are too many tricycles,” he said. 

Jovin said that a terminal would really help keep things organized. 

LGU temporary solution

According to Candy Apotoles, Mayor’s Executive Assistant, there are currently no proper terminals in Daraga – only makeshift, illegitimate ones.

Apostoles said that there is no existing terminal in Daraga, explaining the only operating areas are makeshift and illegitimate. She clarified the proposed project has not yet been constructed, remaining as a proposal project. 

She explained that during the first term of Mayor Victor Perete from  2019 to 2022, an integrated terminal was already proposed. Called the Integrated Market and Terminal, the project provides an organized parking space for the jeepney drivers, combined with an established market for the convenience of the commuters. 

However, it was put on hold as a new administration took over in 2022.

Apostoles said the project is expected to resume with Mayor Perete returning in office this year. 

“It will serve as a gateway for our neighboring towns. If we build a terminal, it will make it easier for our commuters, especially since it will be combined with a market. Daraga is lucky now because this is the Mayor’s priority,” she said. 

Apostoles said that while they wait for the continuation of the integrated terminal, Daraga Councilor Ian Macasinag has proposed a provisional terminal as a temporary solution to ease congestion at the Daraga pick-up stations. 

However, she clarified that the proposal will still need to undergo a public hearing and several approval processes. 

“There is no specific timeline yet because it also depends on the Sangguniang Bayan’s approval and whether we can secure funding, and, of course, the establishment of the structures themselves. There are still several steps to go through before it can be implemented,” she said.