TACLOBAN CITY – Samar has marked a historic first in Eastern Visayas after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) granted the province a notice of compliance (NOC) for its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) covering 2026–2028.
The recognition places Samar ahead of other provinces in the region in modernizing local mobility systems, as the NOC certifies that its transport route plan is practical, technically sound, and aligned with national standards.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who personally received the certificate, said the plan will not only ease travel for communities but also serve as a tool for attracting investors, stimulating local economies, and improving public access to education, health care, and other essential services. She credited the milestone to technical collaboration and long-term planning.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Gandara was also given a special notice of compliance, a recognition issued to LGUs that submit LPTRPs without fixed-route proposals but with valid justifications detailing existing transport conditions.
With this achievement, Samar positions itself as a model for sustainable and inclusive transportation planning in Eastern Visayas—an initiative that seeks to balance mobility, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
