TACLOBAN CITY — Public transport operators in Leyte can now begin applying for regular franchises after the province secured approval of its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Eastern Visayas said.
LTFRB Eastern Visayas Regional Director Gualberto Gualberto said the agency issued a notice of compliance (NOC) to the provincial government of Leyte for its approved LPTRP, clearing the way for operators previously operating under provisional authorities (PAs) to apply for a certificate of public convenience (CPC).
“We are very thankful to the province because, at last, what our transport operators have been waiting for has been granted. They can now apply for a franchise,” Gualberto said.
A PA is a temporary permit allowing public utility vehicle operators to continue operating while their application for a CPC is being processed.
Leyte Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero said transport operators had sought the provincial government’s assistance because the absence of an approved route plan had also affected their ability to obtain financing.
“Previously, some transport operators came to our office asking for assistance because financing institutions would not grant them loans without this very important document, the route plan,” Alvero said.
She said the provincial government had previously issued certifications indicating that the route plan was still being processed.
Michael Camiller, chairman of the transport group RELTRANSCO, said the approval was important for operators seeking bank financing, particularly in complying with requirements under the government’s public transport modernization program.
“This is very important for us because this is one of the requirements for the transport group to avail loan in bank in compliance to the modernization of public transport,” Camiller said.
Leyte 2nd District Board Member Raissa Villasin, who represented Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla during the NOC awarding, said the approved plan provides a clearer framework for public transport routes in the province.
“This is very important to our economy and very significant for all of us because the routes of our transport groups are now clearly defined,” Villasin said.
She added that the plan would also provide a basis for determining whether existing and proposed transport routes correspond to the needs of communities.
An LPTRP is a strategic plan prepared by local government units that identifies public transport routes, modes of transportation and the number of vehicle units needed based on passenger demand. Under the Public Transport Modernization Program, it serves as a regulatory requirement for the LTFRB in issuing or renewing franchises for public utility vehicles.
Leyte’s approved plan covers 33 rationalized routes and 27 new and developmental routes. It will remain valid for five years, subject to updates based on changes in transport demand and other conditions.
Leyte is the fourth province in Eastern Visayas to secure an approved LPTRP from the LTFRB, after Samar, Biliran and Northern Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
