ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region VI lauded the city government of Iloilo and other sectors that were responsible for taking on the difficult task of crafting and implementing the metro’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
“I wish to point out and laud the courage and determination of the Iloilo City leadership, the City Council, City Planning and PSTMO (Public Safety and Transportation and Management Office), among others, by grabbing the bull by its thorn. So to speak, in taking the difficult task in formulating and implementing its Local Public Transport Route Plan,” said Regional Director Richard Z. Osmeña of LTFRB VI during the official launching of the LPTRP on June 12 as part of the activities for the city’s 124th Independence Day commemoration.
Iloilo City is the first highly urbanized city in the country to launch the LPTRP which is part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Duterte administration.
“This is a major stage in the public utility vehicle modernization program that is being implemented with the Department of Transportation as the lead agency including Land Transportation Office and LTFRB,” said Osmeña who was the guest speaker during the event.
He added that with the implementation of the program in conjunction with the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, they expect to achieve the rationalization and modernization of public land transport in Iloilo City which will enhance its development.
In his message, Mayor Jerry Treñas said this is another milestone that Ilonggos could be proud to celebrate and share “because today, we are saying hello to our modern jeepneys.”
He said this new mode of transportation is their way of manifesting their willingness and readiness to embrace positive change.
The Iloilo City LPTRP was approved by the DOTr in November last year and was approved and adopted by the Iloilo City council in January this year. It involves 24 routes for its public jeepneys.
Of the 24 routes, according to PSTMO Head Jeck Conlu, seven are new routes and 17 are rationalized routes. Around 1,677 franchises were already issued by the LTFRB.
Conlu asked for the cooperation of the Ilonggos for the successful implementation of the program.
“Everyday is an adjustment so we asked for your cooperation para mangin successful ang aton implementation,” said Conlu. (laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
