BY GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – Of the 24 public transport routes in the currently suspended Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of the city government, 23 are being proposed for modification.
The city government plans to submit the modifications to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for approval simultaneous with the Iloilo provincial government’s submission of its own LPTRP.
According to city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu, a technical working group is finalizing the proposed modifications.
A meeting with the Provincial Planning and Development Office will be held tomorrow to harmonize the two LPTRPs.
One of the major modifications is the entry of “first town” provincial jeepneys to the city. The original city LPTRP prohibited this.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 suggested that this be reflected in the LPTRP of the provincial government.
Conlu is hopeful that both LPTRPs of the city and province would be approved by the DOTR.
Yesterday, a transport summit organized by the city government gathered stakeholders – transport groups, commuters, academic institutions and barangay officials, among others – to identify concrete solutions to the current challenges surrounding the LPTRP.
According to Conlu, only one route in the city’s original LPTRP won’t be modified – the La Paz-City Proper route.
One of the routes proposed for modification is the Tagbak Terminal via Coastal Road route towards the fast-craft terminal (bound for Bacolod City). This would be extended to the downtown area in the City Proper where it can pass by the Iloilo City Hall.
Also, the Mohon Terminal via So-oc to Jaro Plaza route would be extended up to La Paz.
On the other hand, from the original four routes, a total of eight routes would be allowed to pass by the Iloilo Terminal Market in the City Proper through Rizal, De Leon, Mabini and Fuentes streets.
According to Conlu, among the considerations for the proposed modifications are the schools, public markets, hospitals, malls, national government agencies, among others.
Last week, Mayor Jerry Treñas, through an executive order, officially extended the suspension of the LPTRP up to Oct. 6.
The first suspension for 45 days ended on Aug. 22. Treñas extended it for another 45 days. He cited the following reasons:
* the still existing COVID-19 pandemic which requires observance to health and safety protocols
* the increasing prices of commodities; the inflation experienced by both national and local economies
* the public clamor of the community against LPTRP
* the increase in the volume of commuters due to the opening of classes
* the ongoing public consultation regarding the LPTRP
Treñas said the extension will give the city government enough time to finalize the proposed amendments to the LPTRP gathered from public consultations./PN
