Zamboanga City becomes the second local government unit in Mindanao to have complied the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), a blueprint that provides “access and mobility to people through public transportation services so that they can utilize and participate in the different socioeconomic activities and amenities of the local government unit.”

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Atty. Martin Delgra III arrived in the city to personally present to Mayor Beng Climaco the notice of compliance by the city government on the formulation of a route plan for public transport.

The city government, through the City Administrator’s Office drafted the LPTRP with the help of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) College of Engineering Extension Services and other groups.

The city’s LPTRP was found to be consiste4nt to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order 2017-011 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of the Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance otherwise known as the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) and all other pertinent LTFRB memorandum circulars after a thorough evaluation was made by the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office (RFRO) and the third party consultants.

With the issuance of the notice of compliance, Feb. 17, Delgra said the City Government is directed to enact an ordinance adopting the LPTRP indicating the routes, authorized mode and number of authorized units.

The ordinance is to include a repealing clause amending all issued ordinances, orders, rules and regulations which conflict with the OFG, DILG-DOTr JMC No. 001, series 2017, other pertinent LTFRB memorandum circulars, LPTRP Manual volume 1.  The same ordinance is to be endorsed to the RFRO immediately for the conduct of the transparent selection process and franchise issuances.

The notice of compliance was presented by Atty. Delgra to Mayor Climaco, Vice Mayor Rommel Agan, City Administrator Apple Go, Councilor El King Omaga and the LPTRP city team during formal ceremonies held at Centro Latino Monday morning.

Assisting Delgra during the awarding of notice of compliance of the ZC LPTRP to the City Government were Aminoden Guro, outgoing LTFRB-9 OIC Regional Director and incoming OIC RD Zerita Climaco. (Sheila Covarrubias)