The Land Transportation Franchi-sing and Regulatory Board is requesting the cooperation of local government units in providing public transport route plans through a collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
LTFRB Technical Division Chief Joel Bolano said the creation of a Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), in partnership with the DILG, aims to delegate and empower LGUs to develop route plans for public transportation based on guidelines from the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation.
“At the DOTR and LTFRB, we want to strengthen the LGUs’ ownership in planning their routes,” Bolano said.
One possibility, he said, is to include the creation of an LPTRP as part of the Seal of Good Local Governance awarded by the DILG every year to outstanding LGUs.
“The DOTR and the DILG are already working on the details and mechanics on how to include this as an incentive,” he said.
The LPTRP is a requirement under the government’s PUV modernization program (PUVMP) and is the basis for the issuance of franchises.
He assured transport stakeholders, including LGUs, of regular dialogues with PUV operators, drivers, commuter groups, and other civil societies for the proper implementation of the LPTRP and the PUVMP.
He also reminded PUV operators and drivers to join existing transport coo-peratives or apply for consolidation until the deadline on Dec. 31.
He said the equity subsidy offered by the government to transport cooperatives who wish to purchase modern PUVs has increased. – PNA
