• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A four-day Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) formulation workshop started Aug. 27 at Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Negros Occidental, initiated by the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The activity will lay the groundwork for a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive public transport system that will benefit communities and support the province’s continued growth, the Capitol said.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the workshop is an excellent opportunity for LGUs to gain insights and tools needed to craft effective transport route plans that cater to the needs of the people, while addressing the unique challenges of the province.
“With the expertise provided by the LTFRB and the dedication of our local leaders, I am confident that we will implement transport solutions that are forward-thinking, adaptable, and centered on the well-being of our constituents,” he said in a statement as he urged participants to “remain mindful of the shared goal of creating a transport system that enhances mobility and contributes to the wellbeing of communities.”
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said the DOTr and local government units (LGUs) throughout the country need to work as a cohesive part on issues, such as right-of-way and the LPTRP to speed up construction of transport infrastructure and the rationalization of public utility vehicle (PUV) routes.
He said they will coordinate with LGUs on ironing out issues on transport projects. “We also need to intimately coordinate with local governments in planning and implementing these projects, most especially at resolving right-of-way issues.”
On rationalizing PUV routes, Bautista said the DOTr hopes that LGUs sees the urgency of approving LPTRPs in their jurisdiction to enable the agency to proceed with the next phases of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).
“One of our urgent concerns is the issuance of Local Public Transport Route Plan by LGUs. This is central to the second component—route rationalization—of the PTMP,” he stressed in a statement. “We hope that LGUs understand the urgency of issuing these LPTRPs to consolidated transport groups so that they can modernize their fleet.” | CGC
