THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-10) in Northern Mindanao said Thursday, June 5, that the current status quo on the implementation of the Local Transport Public Route Plan (LTPRP) provides a good opportunity to address lingering issues.
LTFRB Regional Director Abosamen Matuan said the status quo order was issued following a dialogue between the agency, the city government, and traditional public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers.
“Ang naging resulta as per instruction ni Mayor Klarex is status quo muna,” he said.
This means the implementation of the new route plan, which took effect Tuesday, June 4, is temporarily on hold, with no timeline yet for when it will resume.
In a statement Thursday, the city government said the decision to pause the LTPRP rollout followed a dialogue with Mayor Rolando Uy, Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez, and transport operators, who raised concerns over its effect on traditional drivers’ livelihoods, such as reduced passengers and income.
A number of traditional drivers had earlier opposed the implementation, saying it placed a burden on them and left many commuters stranded.
Matuan said the pause is an opportunity to revisit and potentially revise certain routes under the plan.
“This is good to have time na dagdagan pa ang ating paghahanda,” he said.
Matuan clarified that the LTPRP was enacted as a local ordinance in 2022, with a corresponding memorandum circular issued on Jan. 18, 2023.
The route plan was designed by the local government, which is responsible for identifying transport issues in its jurisdiction.
“Matagal na tong aprubado, na delay lang ang implementation,” he said, noting the full implementation started on June 3.
He emphasized that LTFRB’s role is limited to issuing franchises for operators along their designated routes.
“Ang sa amin lang sa LTFRB is to issue the necessary franchise para doon sa mga operator sa kani-kanilang mga ruta,” he said.
Mayor Uy, during the dialogue, reiterated the city government’s commitment to refining the route plan based on feedback from traditional PUJ operators. The decision to implement a status quo aims to balance the need for transportation reform with public and operator concerns.
Meanwhile, Matuan urged transport cooperatives to remain responsive to their members' sentiments and to thoroughly discuss any confusion regarding the LTPRP. The plan aims to reduce travel time and traffic congestion in Cagayan de Oro.
