BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO City – The city government now begins the full implementation of its enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
Uldarico Garbanzos, head of the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU), also confirmed that only 25% of consolidated “first town” jeepneys of transport cooperatives from Iloilo Province are permitted to enter the city.
The LPTRP, part of the national government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), rationalizes 17 existing city routes and introduces eight new routes.
“We are coordinating closely with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure that only vehicles meeting the consolidation criteria are allowed on the roads,” said Garbanzos.
The ICTMU has also placed clear markings for limited stops, enhancing traffic flow and safety.
A total of 2,142 vehicles, comprising 520 modernized and 1,622 traditional consolidated jeepneys, have been cleared to serve city routes.
According to Garbanzos, enforcement will be strict, with the LTO handling franchise violations and the ICTMU aiding in compliance checks.
Transport cooperatives are expected to report any non-compliance among their ranks.
In a related note, Halley Alcarde, general manager of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative, emphasized the importance of community feedback for improving service availability, especially during nighttime hours.
“We are committed to adjusting quickly to public demand to ensure that our services are accessible when and where they are needed,” Alcarde explained.
The ICTMU has urged the public to report any discrepancies in jeepney operations to facilitate immediate action. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
