Pam creates council tasked to focus on Cebu's transport system

Local

A NEW council will now steer the direction of Cebu’s transport system.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has signed an Executive Order (EO) creating the Cebu Transport Plan Council (CTPC) to drive the modernization of public transportation in the province.

The EO took effect immediately upon signing on Aug. 29.

The CTPC will function as the policy-making and coordinating body tasked with ensuring Cebu’s transport network is safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable.

Its establishment aligns the province with the National Transport Policy under the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), which envisions a unified, affordable, and climate-resilient transport sector nationwide.

Under EO 43, the council will oversee the implementation and monitoring of Cebu’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), ensuring it is consistent with the Regional Development Plan and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–Department of Transportation (DOTr) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2017.

“Whereas, there is a need to harmonize the Cebu Provincial LPTRP with the National Transport Policy, the Regional Development Plan, and the mandates of JMC No. 1, s. 2017 to ensure sustainability, enforceability, and accountability,” the EO states.

The governor, or her authorized representative, will chair the CTPC, with the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator as vice-chair.

Members include provincial officials, transport regulators, league presidents, business and cooperative groups, and commuter advocates.

Agencies such as the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and transport-oriented civil society groups are also part of the council.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the CTPC will serve as the main coordinating body for route planning and traffic management across Cebu.

He noted that while the council had not been active in the past, it now aims to oversee the planning, review, updating, and rationalization of transport routes to make commuting more efficient and accessible for residents.

The CTPC will coordinate with local government units (LGUs), transport operators, and national agencies to ensure inter-LGU mobility and unified traffic management, especially in Cebu’s fast-growing urban areas.

Its mandate includes reviewing and rationalizing transport routes, recommending ordinances and policies to institutionalize route plans, and promoting low-carbon, climate-resilient mobility.

The council is also tasked with implementing a monitoring system to track service quality, operator compliance, and commuter satisfaction, with regular reports to be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the DOTr.

It will provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to LGUs in preparing and updating LPTRPs, which are necessary for securing transport franchises and investments.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) will serve as the CTPC Secretariat, handling administrative and technical support, managing data, and preparing reports.

Funding will come from the Provincial Government, with the option of seeking additional technical and financial assistance from the DOTr, DILG, and donor agencies.(Kaiser Jan Fuentes)