ILOILO City – If the Department of Transportation (DOTr) won’t approve the city government’s proposed amendments to the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), Mayor Jerry P. Treñas won’t implement the plan.
It is not something nga nag-initiate sa LGU (local government unit). Gina-implement ta lang ang ila programa. We are trying our best to make it palatable to our people. Pero indi naman na pwede nga gabalabag sa tutunlan sang tawo idasok ta pa,” the city mayor said.
Recently, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 spokesperson Atty. Jun Altura said the modified version of the LPTRP will most likely not be approved.
“If they will not approve it forever, I will suspend it forever,” Treñas said.
For the fourth time, Treñas recently suspended the traffic route plan pending the approval of the proposed amendments.
The suspensions gave way to several public consultations on the traffic plan.
LPTRP is in line with the national government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) – a flagship program of the previous Duterte administration that envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed, and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have a stable, sufficient, and dignified livelihood while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely, and comfortably.
Not merely a vehicle modernization program, the PUVMP also devolved the function of route planning to LGUs, as they are more versed in the terrain and passenger demand within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
LGUs are required under the program to submit their own LPTRP as a prerequisite for the opening of PUV franchises within their jurisdiction.
As to the transport groups that are currently going through the modernization process and have complained because they are affected by the suspension of the implementation of the LPTRP, Treñas suggested that they rally in front of the DOTR and LTFRB offices./PN
