COUNCILOR Teodulfo Lao, Jr., chair of the City Council committee on public utilities, last Friday stressed that there will be no endorsement for franchises for public utility vehicles until the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of the city is ready.
This, during discussions on the request of the Bellevue Homeowners Association for franchise to operate tri-cab or shuttle services from the subdivision to SM and vice versa, and the request of another operator for endorsement to operate ten more units for the San Agustin Valley to Cogon route.
Lao said the route plan is required by the Department of Transportation, which the city has to comply with. “The city is mandated to submit the LPTRP,” he added.
For his part, Engr. Nonito Oclarit of the Roads and Traffic Administration said no special or temporary permit can be given to PUVs while waiting for the LPTRP.
The LPTRP, which is the minimum requirement for the issuance of franchise, is expected to be presented by June, this year.
Engr. Oclarit also announced that individual franchise will no longer be entertained under the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“Only groups or cooperatives will be recognized,” he added.
It was learned that Under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, operators will not be granted franchise if they are not part of a cooperative, consortium or corporation. The program also requires jeepney engines to comply with Euro-4 emission and consumption standards.
In the meeting, Land Transportation Office official Dominador Awiten warned that LTO and LTFRB have intensified the campaign against illegal vehicles. (sp)
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