DOTr, LTFRB open missionary routes in Tacloban transport system

The Department of TransportationLand Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (DOTr-LTFRB) recently approved the opening of four missionary routes in typhoon-devastated Tacloban City, Leyte.

In 2013, super-typhoon “Yolanda” left thousands of casualties and billions of pesos damage in the area. Some 15,000 families, or 90,000 individuals, were relocated to Tacloban North, the single largest post-disaster resettlement area 15 kilometers from the city proper. Tacloban North consists of seven barangays (villages), stretching from Barangay 97 (Cabalawan) to Barangay 98 (Tagpuro).

Most of those affected by the government’s relocation project came from the coastal areas and LTFRB noted that at present, “there is no authorized public utility vehicle service route that serves the area between Tacloban North and Tacloban City Proper.”

To assist thousands of families relocating in Tacloban North, LTFRB stressed “the urgent necessity to open new missionary routes in this area.”

Now, the DOTr-LTFRB designated four new missionary routes.

The first, Route A covers 14 kilometers from the New Transport Terminal to Tagpuro and vice versa. It will service the housing sites of Villa Sofia, Sangyaw Village and New Hope Village.

The second, Route B covers 12 kilometers from the New Transport Terminal to New Kawayan and vice versa, servicing Villa Diana, North Hill Arbours, Guadalupe Heights, Greendale Subdivision and St. Francis Village. The third, Route C covers 8 kilometers from New Transport Terminal to Cabalawan and vice versa, servicing Ridgeview Subdivision, UNDP housing site, Lions Ville and Knightsridge.

The LTFRB Board also resolved to open 15 franchises for each route, or a total of 45 franchises for the new missionary routes.