DAVAO CITY – A bus company strengthened its operations despite the challenge in the movement of people in the midst of the pandemic as it added new routes to cater to Mindanao’ans.
Celer Estologa, Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC) legal and media relations manager said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 10 recently granted one of their sister company, the Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) the special permit to merit the opening of new routes.
Such opening provides the opportunity for the movement of people and goods, thus helping the Mindanao economy to regain its ground.
The new opening includes the following routes: Cagayan de Oro-Cotabato City route that passes through some parts of Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, and Maguindanao, said Aminoden Guro, LTFRB-10 director.
North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco lauded the bold move of the company “The new route will benefit my constituents their movement and movement of goods, it is a big leap to our province in terms of economic movement and it also means cheaper and safer ride.”
LTFRB-10 granted a provisional authority RTMI for 15 bus units to ply the new route, passing through Talakag town in Bukidnon, Wao town in Lanao del Sur, the municipalities of Banisilan, Alamada, Libungan, Pigcawayan in Cotabato; and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao.
Estologa said the new route is three hours shorter than the usual Cagayan de Oro-Cotabato City via the Kabacan trail, which takes five to six hours of travel time.
Such new window, helps in the gradual reopening of Mindanao’s economic activities , Guro emphasized.
“The opening of the new route and launching of PUBs will also contribute to the gradual recovery of the economy in the region,” Guro said, adding that it also gives inter-regional access to public commuters in Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Guro said the LTFRB-10 can grant RTMI another permit for additional bus units that will ply the same route if there is a need, such as an increase in population.
“They can still file a petition for additional units if there is an increase in demand from the riding public,” he said.
Estologa said the new route is three hours shorter than the usual Cagayan de Oro-Cotabato City via the Kabacan trail, which takes five to six hours of travel time.-EZC
