Pangasinan transport plan set under PUV modernization

 By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The provincial government of Pangasinan will implement the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) that sets 44 rationalized routes and 12 developmental routes all over the province in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

    This after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday approved the resolution adopting the LPTRP formulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

    During the session, LTFRB Ilocos Region planning officer Engr. Karen Casaña said the new routes will involve 1,262 modernized jeepney units in the rationalized routes and 100 units in the developmental routes.

    “A plan detailing the route network, mode, and required number of units per mode for delivering public land transport services. This is prepared by the local government units (LGUs) and approved by the LTFRB. This plan shall serve as the basis of a comprehensive local transport plan,” she said.

    Casaña said among the guidelines in preparing the LPTRP are the capacity building for the LGUs by the DOTr, LGUs’ preparation and submission of the LPTRP, and approval and franchise issuance by the LTFRB.

    “While the LPTRPs are being prepared, franchises are being issued for routes that are identified and approved by the DOTr and LTFRB,” she added.

    Pangasinan is the first province in the Ilocos Region awarded notice of compliance with the LPTRP.

    “Malaking bagay itong LPTRP na ito para sa ating mga stakeholders, lalo na sa mga kapatid natin sa transportation sector na gustong makapag modernize ng kanilang sasakyan. Ang mga makikinabang dito ay mga transport cooperatives at ang ating mga daily commuters (This LPTRP will be a huge help to the stakeholders, especially to those in the transport sector who wanted to modernize their public utility vehicles (PUVs). The members of transport cooperatives and the commuters will benefit from this),” said Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III in a recent statement.

    LTFRB Ilocos chief transportation development officer lawyer Anabel Marzan-Nullar said the modernization of PUVs will be until March 31, 2023 under the law.

    She said a transfer plan for members of the cooperative was prepared for affected drivers.

    “As long as they are members of legit(imate) transport cooperatives, then they will be transferred to other routes. Several social support programs were also in place,” she added. -- PNA