Baguio gov’t, transport groups set road routes

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Concerns of the transport groups here on routes of public utility jeepneys have been addressed by the Traffic and Transportation Management Division of the City Engineering Office and the city council’s committee on the matter chaired by Councilor Benny Bomogao.
    These included routes of accredited transport service cooperatives/corporations in each trunkline (green, red, yellow and blue) and on number of authorized units for each route.
    Revisions in the localized public transportation route plan were presented to transport groups during public consultation on March 16. The LPTRP shall be the absolute blueprint of the road network and details of the required mode and number of PUV units to serve the city. It will be the comprehensive basis for an effective delivery of public land transport service in the city.
    The LPTRP consolidate replicated routes of public utility jeepneys into a few 28 routes with six additional routes.
    A notice of compliance was issued to the City Government of Baguio on June 28, 2021 after the submitted LPTRP was found to be consistent with LTFRB memorandum circulars.
    The approved LPTRP was prepared by the TTMD-CEO. It has been revised taking into consideration the concerns raised and recommendations given by the transport groups during the forums with the city council.
    Representatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-CAR said the approved LPTRP may be revised at least once within three years from the date of its approval in order to reflect and accommodate the changing needs of the communities being serviced by the concerned transport groups.
    LTFRB representatives said the transport groups should be in close coordination with the local government for their proposed amendments of the LPTRP.
    During the public consultation, more recommendations were given by the concerned transport groups for the consideration of the city government through the TTMD-CEO.
    Bomogao said it is up to the TTMD-CEO to consider recommendations recently given by transport groups.
    LTFRB representatives said the TTMD-CEO conducted route rationalization studies during drafting stage of the LPTRP to make it responsive to the demands of the riding public.
    They advised the transport groups to also present data when giving recommendations.
    Under the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), every local government unit is required to submit an LPTRP.
    It is a prerequisite for the opening of PUV franchises within their jurisdiction.
    To cushion the impact of the PUVMP to small operators, the LTFRB has proposed a special loan program with Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines.
    A government subsidy worth P160.00o shall be granted per unit.
    During the public consultation, Land Bank presented its public transport financing program which aims to finance the acquisition of adequate, effective, and efficient transport units that are PUVMP-compliant.
    To be eligible, the transport cooperative/corporation should be registered with the Cooperative Development Authority and the Security Exchange Commission.
    The loanable amount is based on the acquisition cost of the unit and the net of the government subsidy or 95% of the vehicle cost, whichever is lower. Other fees such as the handling fee shall be waived. The mode of repayment is equal monthly amortization.