Mountain Province is now ready to adopt the Philippine Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), a large-scale flagship project of President Rodrigo Duterte supported by the proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of the Department of Finance.
This, following the Roll-Out/Workshop on Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program which was spearheaded by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province (PLGU-MP) through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) at Ridgebrook Hotel and Restaurant, Samoki last December 4, 2018. It was attended by operators and drivers of various transport groups in the province, Local Chief Executives (LCEs), Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, Tourism Officers, and representatives from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Private Sectors, Non-Government Organizations, and business sector.
The activity was conducted in support to the Local Public Transport Route Planning (LPTRP) as one element of the aforementioned PUV Modernization Program. As stipulated under Department Order No. 2017-011 also known as “Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance” of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the determination and provision of public transportation services from the private sector shall be shifted to the public sector. This move empowers LGUs and, in effect, lessens their dependence on the private sector in initiating the planning of local, regional, and national transportation systems. To carry out this move, the LPTRP will guide the LGUs in planning, designing and implementing local public transportation routes. (Local Public Transportation Route Plan Manual, Volume 1, October 2017)
In his welcome remarks during the orientation, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. said that the rationalization of the transportation system or popularly known as PUV Modernization Program aims to make the country’s public transportation system restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably. He added that LGUs are required under the program to submit their own LPTRP as a pre-requisite for the opening of PUV franchises within their jurisdiction.
“I’d like to challenge the participants, the transport operators and drivers, for your active participation and cooperation in this endeavor as we prepare the Local Public Transportation Plan. Your technical input determines the appropriate mode, quantity and service characteristics of the public transport service in each corridor which will make the routes more responsive to passenger demand and ensure that the hierarchy of roads and modes of transportation are followed.”, Lacwasan further stated.
During the orientation, an open forum was facilitated by Engr. Elmer N. Mendoza, the OIC-PUVMP, LTFRB-CAR and the Resource Person for the event. This is for the participants to raise their issues and concerns regarding the existing as well as the propositioned transportation system in the province. Also, this is to provide opportunities for participants to discover the issues in the implementation of the program and translate all these aspects in the local reality as an input in the plan.
Meanwhile, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Lily Rose Kollin solicited the support and cooperation of all stakeholders for the implementation of the program.
“I also encourage and solicit our partners in development, the business sector, riding public (commuter), transport group (operators and drivers), private sector and other stakeholders to give their full blast support in this endeavor so our work can always accurately reflect the best of transport expectations as we aim for An integrated, innovative and equitable transport system, providing a range of sustainable, efficient, accessible and safe ways for people and goods to reach their destination,” Kollin added. **Imelda U. Sawi
