Transport groups divided on local route plan policy
Transport groups are divided on the policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to allow local government units to formulate its own transport route plan.
LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said local officials know the traffic situation in their locality as well as the routes for various modes of transportation.
"Ang LGU man ang mas nasayod kung unsang klase sa transportasyon ang angay nga ibutang sa ilang lugar. Sila usab ang nasayod sa nga rota kung asa dapat mo agi ang mga sakyanan," said Delgra.
Delgra said that the local transportation route plan will be submitted to the LTFRB for evaluation to check if the plan conforms to the transportation modernization program.
Once approved by LTFRB, the moratorium on the issuance of franchises for that specific LGU will be lifted.
"Kung kinsa to ang makahimo na sa ilang LTRP unya ma aprobahan na sa LTFRB, anha pa ilibkas ang franchise moratorium," Delgra said.
The policy was opposed by the officials of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator NationwideCebu.
"Dili gyud mi uyon ana LTRP nga LGU ang mohimo," said Greg Perez, coordinator of PISTON-Cebu.
Perez said it would be much better for LTFRB to be dissolved as a government agency.
"Angayan nga wagtangon na lang ang maong ahensiya kay gipasa na man hinoon sa LGU ang ilang trabaho," Perez added.
Ryan Yu, general manager of Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multipurpose Cooperative, on the other hand backed the policy.
"Yes, in favor ko but recommendatory lang ang LGU," Yu said.
The LTFRB has implemented the moratorium on the issuance of new franchises for buses, mini buses, taxis, and jeepneys since 2003.
L. Palaubsanon/FPL