BACOLOD City – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is urging local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to prepare for the devolution of transport regulations for public utility vehicles.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson convened with LTFRB Region 6’s officer-in-charge Chief Transportation Development Officer Atty. Ma. Josette Abellar and Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) focal person Rochelle Mae Amar on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
They discussed preparations for the devolution of LTFRB’s functions concerning public vehicles to the provincial government and other LGUs, as well as the update on the province’s Local Public Transport Route Plan.
Lacson said if there is a need for a franchise, the provincial government has a say in it. He added that LGUs’ approval is needed before jeepneys can consolidate.
However, the governor emphasized that the implementation is not straightforward and it may take up to at least 20 months before the transport regulations are fully devolved to the LGUs.
Lacson added that the LTFRB will conduct briefings for mayors in the province for them to better understand the devolution process. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
