ILOILO – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured that the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) for this province will be approved by the end of this June.
This development follows a personal visit and discussion between Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, on June 18 at the DOTr central office in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
Defensor relayed that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to expedite the process.
The governor’s visit was aimed at following up on the status of the proposed LPTRP for the province, furthering his commitment to transport cooperatives, corporations, and the Iloilo City Government to facilitate the plan’s approval and clarify the permissible percentage of “first towns” jeepneys in Iloilo City.
Currently, an agreement allows 40 percent of jeepneys per route from the “first towns” to operate during peak hours, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 25 percent during off-peak hours.
On holidays and weekends, all “first towns” jeepneys are permitted to enter Iloilo City.
Specific routes covered by this agreement include the following:
* Oton – Iloilo City Loop
* Leganes – Iloilo City Loop via Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue
* Leganes – La Paz, Iloilo City Loop via La Paz
* Pavia – Iloilo City Loop via SEn. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue
* Pavia -Iloilo City Loop via La Paz
A day after his visit to the DOTr, on June 19, the proposed LPTRP was forwarded by the DOTr to the LTFRB for the issuance of a notice of compliance.
Once issued, this notice will be transmitted to Governor Defensor’s office and subsequently forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the enactment of an ordinance.
Upon the passage of this provincial ordinance, the LPTRP will automatically take effect.
Governor Defensor also mentioned that he would personally follow up with the LTFRB to expedite the issuance of the notice of compliance if necessary./PN
