The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allocated P79 million for the implementation of Phase IV of the public utility vehicle (PUV) service contracting program (SCP) in select local government units in Western Visayas.

LTFRB OIC Regional Director for Western Visayas Lawyer Salvador Altura, Jr. said on Wednesday, May 8, that under the SCP, qualified transport cooperatives or corporations will be paid based on the distance they travel.

“It [payment] will go directly to the account of the cooperative, and how they will use it is up to their board of directors,” he said in an interview.

He said the program is implemented in selected areas in Silay City and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental province, Roxas City in Capiz, and Iloilo City, since not all local government units have expressed conformity.

“There is a qualification if what routes are qualified. It is important that the route can reach up to the highly urbanized city or capital city,” he said in an interview.

The initial plan was for the program to run for one week but extended up to 12 days.

On Wednesday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod already authorized Mayor Jerry Treñas to sign an agreement with the LTFRB, concerned transport cooperatives, and the global positioning system (GPS) service providers.

Engineer Venus Deanon, LTFRB Project Officer III, said over 20 transport cooperatives plying city routes and intercity-provincial routes stand to benefit from the program.

“The purpose is to incentivize consolidated transport cooperatives and corporations. The type of service is a net service contract wherein drivers and operators will continue to charge fares,” she said.

LTFRB will give an incentive of P20 per kilometer for traditional jeepneys and P26 for modernized jeepneys.

They will be monitored through a GPS and the LTFRB will be furnished with the distance that they travel for liquidation.

The program will start once the agreement and other documentary requirements are complied with. (PNA)