LA UNION HOLDS FIRST PROVINCIAL TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT

August 17, 2024 Provincial

SAN FERNANDO, La Union

To accelerate growth in the public transportation sector within the province with a particular focus on services operating intra-provincial routes, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) organized its first-ever Provincial
Transportation Summit on July 24, 2024, at the Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center (La Union Convention Center), City of San Fernando, La Union.

The summit was in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Office of Transportation Cooperatives, (OTC), Cooperative Development Authority
(CDA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government La Union Provincial Office (DILG-LUPO).
Representatives from various Transportation Service Cooperatives (TSCs) were invited to engage with national and regional agencies and receive updates on the Public Transport Modernization Program.

The event also aimed to brief the TSCs on the current status and key elements of the proposed La Union Public
Transport Route Plan (LuPTRP) for 2024-2029. Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, Chair of the LuPTRP Team, committed to expediting the formulation of the LuPTRP. She also revealed plans to establish an Integrated Transportation Terminal in La Union, among the numerous plans the PGLU has in store for the transportation sector.

She expressed her gratitude to the drivers, operators, and members of the various public utility cooperatives for their dedication to providing services to every KaPROBINSYAnihan despite the challenges, “Main actors po kayo sa pagpapatupad ng ating PUSO Agenda dito sa La Union, specifically ang Universal Access to Basic Needs dahil ang transportasyon ay isang pangunahing pangangailangan, maraming salamat po sa inyo!” In a gesture of appreciation, “drayber kits” and financial assistance were distributed to attendees of the summits who were unable to operate on the day of the summit.

In his keynote speech, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand “Andy” Ortega commended the province’s initiative and acknowledged the critical role of transportation stakeholders, urging them to persevere in their essential services in his keynote speech. The summit was also attended by Vice Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega; Board Member Chary Nisce and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative and Chairperson of the Committee on Transport Board Member Joyce M. Abuan; along with LTFRB Region I Regional Director Atty.
Anabel Marzan-Nullar; OTC Region I Regional Director Reymundo DJ. De Guzman; CDA Cooperative Development Specialist Engr. Marwin C. Peralta; and DILG-LUPO Provincial Director Reggie Colisao.

The inaugural Provincial Transportation Summit underscored La Union’s commitment to comprehensive development and ensured that no sector is left behind. This initiative strengthens the PGLU’s ongoing efforts for La Union PROBINSYAnihan, affirming the essential role of public transportation in the province’s growth and in providing livelihood to its constituents.

Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator; Marie Jae Anndre Fronda, PIO