ILOILO City – Seven new public transport routes here have been approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). These are expected to make traveling to and from the covered areas more convenient.
The new routes are the following:
* Tagbak – Lapuz via Coastal Loop
* Bito-on – La Paz via Coastal Loop
* Villa – Jaro via Sooc / Oñate / Festive Walk Transport Hub
* Tagbak – Festive Walk Transport Hub via SM City / Atria
* Ungka – La Paz via ISATU Loop
* Mohon – Mandurriao Business District
* La Paz Festive Walk Transport Hub via Nabitasan Loop
These routes approved for the issuance of new Certificate of Public Convenience (CPCs) are included in the city’s approved Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPRTP).
On Feb. 18, LTFRB chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III, LTFRB Region 6 director Richard Osmeña and Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructures Mark Steven Pastor handed over to Mayor Jerry Treñas the LTFRB Memorandum Circular on the approved LPTRP of the city.
According to the LTFRB, the new routes will open before March 25.
“Mas mangin matawhay kag mas hilway ang pagbyahe diri sa ciudad paagi sa aton gin-obra nga Iloilo Local Public Transport Route Plan,” said Treñas.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) gave LTFRB the authority to deliberate and take appropriate action on proposed new/additional routes pursuant to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) and Memorandum Circular No 2018-006.
The city’ LPTRP was reviewed and evaluated by DOTR, and recommended for the issuance of a Notice of Compliance (NOC).
On Dec.3, 2021 LTFRB-6 issued NOC to Iloilo City signed by Osmeña requesting the Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass an ordinance adopting the LPTRP.
Pursuant to Section 4(f) of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 001 – 2017 between the DOTr and Department of Interior and Local Government, the updating of the LPTRP may be done by the local government unit at least once every three years after the last approval.
The city council eventually passed Regulatory Ordinance No. 2021-02 or “An Ordinance Adopting and Approving the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP) of Iloilo City Providing Policies and Guidelines for its Implementation and for Other Purposes”. It was signed by Treñas on Jan. 28, 2022./PN
