Law Summary
Purpose
- The Circular aims to ensure compliance with policies and operational responsibilities concerning LGU public transport route planning.
Policy Compliance
- The Circular supports DOTr Department Order No. 2017-011 (Omnibus Guidelines on Public Road Transport Planning and Franchise Issuance) and adheres to JMC No. 2017-01 dated June 19, 2017.
Scope and Coverage
- Applies to DILG Regional Directors nationwide except for the National Capital Region (NCR), Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, and Sangguniang presiding officers.
- Excludes NCR where DOTr manages LPTRP preparation under the Metro Manila Urban Transport Integration Study Update and Capacity Enhancement Program (MUCEP).
- MUCEP area includes 16 cities and adjoining municipalities across Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite provinces.
Mandates for Local Chief Executives (Outside MUCEP areas)
- Form an LPTRP Team composed of competent personnel from planning, development, engineering, and traffic management offices.
- Ensure team participation in DOTr and LTFRB-facilitated capacity-building activities coordinated with DILG Regional Offices.
- Facilitate comprehensive review of local ordinances, orders, and regulations relating to public transport routes as inputs for LPTRP.
- Prepare LPTRPs with technical assistance from DOTr focal persons who provide guidance on timelines and technical requirements.
Formulation and Adoption of LPTRP
- City/municipal governments prepare LPTRPs for intra-city/municipality travel; provincial governments cover inter-city/municipality travel.
- Plans must comply with the LPTRP Manual available online on the DOTr website.
- Strict adherence to DILG-DOTC JMC No. 1, series 2008 concerning tricycle route limitations, restricting tricycles to intra-city/municipal roads and routes not served by higher public transport modes, with exceptions authorized by local Sanggunian.
- LPTRP formulation mandates consultation with stakeholders such as commuters, transport groups, and academic sectors to incorporate their feedback.
Submission and Review of LPTRP
- Local Chief Executives submit LPTRP to LTFRB Regional Offices and furnish copies to DILG Regional Offices.
- Submitted plans must conform to LPTRP Manual guidelines and are subject to LTFRB review resulting in either:
- Notice of Compliance (NOC), permitting LGU adoption by ordinance, or
- Notice of Non-Compliance (NONC), requiring plan revision with enumerated comments.
- Approved LPTRPs serve as bases for government prioritization of road transport network projects.
- The approval process involves drafting by LGUs, LTFRB review and issuance of NOC or NONC, local ordinance adoption if NOC granted, and transparent franchise issuance by LTFRB.
Roles of DILG Regional Offices
- Designate focal persons to coordinate regional activities and ensure participation in capacity-building activities.
- Disseminate the DOTr-DILG JMC No. 001 dated June 19, 2017.
- Monitor and facilitate amendments of LGU ordinances inconsistent with current public transport policies.
- Assist in resolving issues related to non-submission of LPTRPs.
Penal Provisions
- Non-compliance with the Circular constitutes dereliction of duty subject to sanctions under applicable Civil Service rules and other relevant laws.
Effectivity
- The Memorandum Circular takes effect immediately upon issuance.
Contact Information
- Queries may be directed to the Bureau of Local Government Supervision, DILG, via telephone or email as provided.