ILOILO City – For the third time, the suspension of this city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) has been extended for another 30 days.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in Executive Order No. 07C–2022 issued on Oct. 4, stressed the necessity of further extending the suspension, citing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which requires tbe observance of health and safety protocols, the increasing prices of commodities, public clamor, the increase in commuter volume due to the opening of classes, and the ongoing public consultations regarding the LPTRP which is also known as Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2022-027.
The first suspension was ordered by Treñas in July. It was for 45 days.
An executive order was issued extending it for another 45 days from Aug. 22 to Oct. 6.
This time, the extended suspension will start on Oct. 7 and run until Nov. 6.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 spokesperson Atty. Jun Altura said the regional office will reserve its comment on this recent suspension.
However, citing information from their central office, he said Iloilo City created a precedent.
“It created some regulatory transition and difficulties. We expect that this matter will be discussed with the LTFRB, to be headed by our regional director (Richard Osmeña),” said Altura.
The suspension of the city’s route plan aims to give way to its modification.
Of the 24 public transport routes in the currently suspended LPTRP, 23 are being proposed for modification.
The city government submitted the suggested modifications to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) last month for approval, simultaneous with the Iloilo provincial government’s submission of its own LPTRP.
The city and province have harmonized their route plans to better serve commuters, especially those from Iloilo’s first towns.
Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said DOTr has yet to respond to the suggested modifications./PN
