Faster and more efficient commuting between Sorsogon and nearby provinces can be expected following approval of the Sorsogon Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP). The LPTRP is one of the main components of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Sorsogon is the first LPTRP in the entire Bicol region that has been approved by the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). This was proudly announced in an official statement released by Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero. He also urged the Provincial Board to expedite the release of the ordinance for the implementation of the said LPTRP.
Twenty-two inter-city and inter-municipality routes will be opened under the approved LPTRP.
According to Gov. Escudero’s statement, the LPTRP will result in a better and more organized transportation system in the whole province. “…Sana ma-engganyo din natin ang ating mga jeepney operators na magkaroon pa ng dagdag pang jeep, dagdag pang pagkakataon na trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan sa mga bagong rotang bubuksan natin sa ating lalawigan.”
Apart from the organization of the transport system, Gov. Escudero hopes that the LPTRP will also help boost the province’s tourism industry.
“We prioritized this to also boost tourism in our province. Donsol town is much nearer to Legazpi. After watching the butanding (whale sharks), tourists tend to go back and are not able to watch and experience other spots and beaches in the province,” said Gov. Escudero.
Five of the total number of routes in the approved LPTRP are developmental routes. One of which is the Sorsogon-Donsol route which will help ease commuting between the two localities.
“Meron na kami ngayong limang kalyeng nag-uugnay sa Sorsogon at Legazpi kabilang na ang Maharlika Highway na marapat tingnan at pag-aralan din kung papano ito makokonekta sa pamamagitan ng public transport route,” added Gov. Escudero.
According to the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) of the DOTr and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs) are tasked with developing the LPTRPs for intra-city, intra-municipality, at intra-provincial PUV routes within their respective areas.
Of the 710 total LPTRPs submitted to DOTr and LTFRB, 569 are from municipalities, 52 from provinces, 18 from highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs), and 71 are from other cities.
Currently, 61 LPTRPs have been approved and given Notices of Compliance (NOC). After the awarding of NOCs, the LPTRPs will take into effect once passed as an ordinance by the local government.
Photo credit: Sorsogon Provincial Information Office
