LGUs told: Submit traffic route plan

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 believes Cebu need to catch up in completing its transport plan that will improve the traffic and the regulation of public utility vehicles.

In a recent consultation with city and municipal planners, as well as traffic managers of the different local government units (LGUs), it was found out that the province is still at 30 percent in the completion of its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).

"Dugay-dugay man gyud ni ang LPTRP kay daghan ug composition, daghan og member, plus madugay pa sad kay nagkinahanglan og data," said Jonathan Tumulak, focal person on Traffic Management for Cebu Province.

If the LGUs would have their respective LPTRPs, local officials can monitor and endorse the franchising of public utility vehicles to LTFRB, as well as conduct a study on how to best handle the traffic situation in their respective areas.

"Giawhag nato ang tanan nga mga LGU pagpasar sa ilahang LPTRP. Bisan naay kuwang sa ila data, ang importante maporma ang grupo," Tumulak added.

Since the deadline in the completion of the document is this May, LTFRB-7 Director Eduardo Montealto, Jr. expressed his worry over the other requirements for the plan may be done hastily.

To avoid this, Montealto offered those with pressing transportation issues another option, which is to address a request for LTFRB to grant a new franchise for public vehicles in their area, provided that the need is justified.

Other transport concerns the LPTRP can resolve include the problem of colorum vehicles.

The municipalities of Moalboal, Santander, and Oslob have also reported many of these cases, especially with the increase in the number of tourists visiting their place. — Christele Isabela B. Basco, USC Intern, GAN, (FREEMAN)