Lawmaker hits LGU role in PUV route rationalization plan

(File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Friday questioned the devolution of the route rationalization plans for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to local government units (LGUs).

Tulfo, during a Senate committee on public services hearing,  pointed out that such a process opens the route of planning to exploitation.

He added that he had received reports from PUV drivers that the current system has led to LGU officials turning route planning into a business.

“Marami akong bad experiences diyan, ‘yung mga taga-LGU magnenegosyo na sila. Kukunin nila ‘yung magagandang ruta o sa mga kakilala ‘yung magagandang ruta – lugi, hindi dapat LGU,” said Tulfo.

(I have had many bad experiences there; those from LGU will do business. They will take good or bad routes for their acquaintances; it should not depend on LGUs.)

“Pwede siguro kokonsulta lang, pero in the end, kailangan pag usapan ‘yan,” he added.

(Maybe we can at least consult, but we have to talk about it in the end.)

In response, Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III explained that the agency devolved route planning to LGUs only because it believed they had a better understanding of local routes.

“However, the final approval is still up to us,” he added.

Guadiz said the LTFRB will study Tulfo’s proposal and see if the national government can be the leading proponent of PUV routes, and only have LGUs as consultants.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB are currently working with local governments to rationalize PUV routes through the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).

An LPTRP details the route network, mode and required number of PUVs per mode for delivering land transport service.

The LTFRB said 71 percent of LGUs have already submitted their respective route plans, but only 12 percent have so far been approved by the agency.