By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Department of Transportation (DOTR) is expected to issue a Notice of Compliance (NOC) for the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of Iloilo province by the end of June 2024.
In a recent press conference, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. stated that he met with DOTR officials on June 18 to follow up on the status of the province’s LPTRP with Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega.
Currently, 40 percent of jeepneys per route from the “first towns,” including Leganes, Oton, and Pavia, are allowed to operate during peak hours, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 25 percent during off-peak hours. On holidays and weekends, all “first towns” jeepneys are permitted to enter Iloilo City.
The specific routes covered by this agreement include:
– Oton – Iloilo City Loop
– Leganes – Iloilo City Loop via Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue
– Leganes – La Paz, Iloilo City Loop via La Paz
– Pavia – Iloilo City Loop via Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue
– Pavia – Iloilo City Loop via La Paz
On June 19, the day after Defensor’s visit to the DOTR, the proposed LPTRP was forwarded by the DOTR to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the issuance of a notice of compliance.
While awaiting the approved version of the LPTRP, Gov. Defensor mentioned that a temporary arrangement has been agreed upon.
This interim solution, involving the Iloilo City Government, transport groups, and the provincial government, will implement a scheme allowing either 40 percent or 25 percent and 15 percent of first-town jeepneys to enter Iloilo City.
Once the NOC is issued, it will be forwarded to the governor’s office and subsequently to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the enactment of an ordinance. Upon the passage of this provincial ordinance, the LPTRP will automatically take effect.
Gov. Defensor emphasized his commitment to ensuring the timely issuance of the NOC, stating that he would personally follow up with the LTFRB to expedite the process if necessary.
