THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) released on Monday the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Transport Policy which aims to modernize the country’s transport network.
NEDA said the framework “promotes a safe, reliable, efficient, integrated, intermodal, affordable, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and people-oriented national transport system.”
NEDA said that the country currently lacks an integrated and coordinated transport network among agencies, which results in overlapping and conflicting functions.
Among key features of the measure are the regular assessment of the transport sector, strict enforcement of safety standards, setting clear responsibilities of Local Government Units (LGUs) and the national government on financing, construction, and maintenance of transport facilities, and the integration of traffic-related ordinances across local governments.
The framework also sets guidelines for the formulation of the Philippine Transportation System Master Plan, a database system for transport agencies, integration of land use and transport planning, measures for cost management, an integrated routes and areas of operations network.
It also provides the uniform basis for the setting of fares, the establishment of information technology-enabled collection system, and regular traffic education training.
The draft IRR also provides the establishment of a “seamless, intermodal transport logistics network, tourism, trade and agro-industry convergence programs, and the establishment of a single transport document and single access point and one-stop shop for required transport documentation.
The framework was approved last year by President Rodrigo R. Duterte under the NEDA Board.
By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan, Reporter
October 1, 2018
