Iloilo City Government kicked off the stickering of route and color coding of consolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the metro in preparation for the implementation of the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
No less than Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, with city officials and City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) Head Retired Col. Urdanico Garbanzos, led the ceremonial installation of the stickers on consolidated PUVs on December 30, 2023.
Treñas expressed his commendation to all the men and women behind the city’s technical working group who tirelessly worked since the inception of the program and had to overcome all the challenges.
“Iloilo City takes pride as the first local government unit in the country to implement and enhance the LPTRP. This serves as a testament of our active participation and contribution to the modernization program of the national government,” Treñas expressed.
Garbanzos, meanwhile, said a total of 1,262 consolidated PUVs in the city will be prioritized for the stickering.
He noted that the stickering of the rest of the consolidated PUVs will happen in the transport cooperatives’ respective garage, and will be monitored by the ICTMU.
Based on the operational guidelines for the LPTRP as provided under Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-036 issued by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the city’s enhanced route plan includes 17 rationalized routes, seven new/developmental routes and one enhanced new/developmental route.
It further allows 1,782 modernized jeepneys to ply these approved routes.
Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI) president Rizal Alido, on his part, said having stickered jeepneys will ensure that those plying the city thoroughfares are all members of the cooperatives.
As far as WVATCCI is concerned, Alido said they are ready for the implementation of the enhanced LPTRP especially also that their drivers are equipped with discipline and necessary training.
He added that their cooperative is still open to welcome unconsolidated PUVs and drivers who want to join them.
“We need thousands of employees, drivers, passenger assistance officers, safety officers kag mekaniko. They are welcome mag apply sa coop kon waay na sila driveran. Welcome gid sila katama, may income nga sigurado and benefits nga pagabatunon,” Alido added.
The coop president further noted that if the situation calls for it later on considering the increasing number of passengers every year, they may apply or request for additional units. (Iloilo City PIO)
