SIGNAGE. A loading and unloading bay in a major street in Iloilo City is painted with thermoplastic paint in preparation for the implementation of the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan in the first quarter of 2024. Public Safety and Transportation Management Office head Jeck Conlu, in a press conference on Thursday (Nov. 9, 2023), said they prioritized the installation of loading and unloading bays from Iznart Street to Plaza Libertad in the City Proper due to the limited supply of thermoplastic paint. (Photo courtesy of PSTMO)
ILOILO CITY – The city government here has initially designated 28 of the 850 loading/unloading bays in major streets of Iloilo City as it gears for the full implementation of the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) in the first quarter of 2024.
At a press conference on Thursday, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said they prioritized the installation of loading and unloading bays from Iznart Street to Plaza Libertad in the City Proper due to the limited supply of thermoplastic paint.
Conlu said the Department of Public Works and Highways would also help install loading bays while various transport cooperatives would donate signage to fast-track the needed infrastructure.
“Definitely within the year, we could not implement the LPTRP since it is almost a holiday and everyone is busy. And the preparation of our signages is also ongoing. The remaining months of 2023 will be in preparation for the full implementation in January next year,” he said.
The full implementation of the LPTRP covers both modernized and traditional jeepneys, the designation of loading/unloading bays, training for drivers, and a massive information drive that will start next week.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Wednesday called the technical working group for a meeting to get updates on their preparations.
During the implementation, about 2,299 transport vehicles consisting of modernized and traditional jeepneys will serve 25 routes.
Currently, there are 517 modernized jeepneys while the rest are traditional jeepneys consolidated in cooperatives that will be allowed to ply their routes until the 1,782 modernized buses allowed under the LPTRP are made available.
“It will be a status quo for the first town municipalities, so they (jeepneys) can still enter the city,” he added.
Conlu said they are working on a driver’s manual and identifying designated loading/unloading areas of every route.
He added that once the LPTRP implementation goes full swing, they would push for the mandatory accreditation of drivers before their hiring for easy identification. The move, however, requires an ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. (PNA)
