Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez welcomed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and his delegation to his office to present and discuss Bacolod City’s Comprehensive Public Transport Modernization Plan.
Key areas of concerns aimed to improve the Local Public Transportation system were proposed, namely:
* A review of the consolidation program
* To grant authority or deputized local government units (LGUs) to apprehend colorum or unauthorized vehicles
* Approval and implementation of green routes
*Migration to electric vehicles (EVs)
* Provision of financing options for e-jeepney operators
* Establishment of EV charging stations across the city
Benitez also presented the current status of the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) implementation.
“Only e-jeepneys can ply this route.”
“We are designating green routes. Only e-jeepneys can ply this route. We are probably the first LGU in the Philippines to initiate this,” the mayor said.
As of March 2025, a total of 1,266 traditional jeepney units have been approved for consolidation, along with 605 modern units. Based on the city’s assessment, there is still a shortfall of around 1,200 units to adequately service the 24 routes.
“We are also promoting electric vehicles, para maibanan ang polusyon kag carbon emission,” he added.
Dizon expressed his full support for the city’s proposals and committed to working closely with the local government to implement these initiatives in service of the commuting public.
“DOTr has committed to providing everything needed to show that this modernization program can truly work—if the right ingredients are in place.”
“We can clearly see that Bacolod can be the model for PUV modernization. To support this, DOTr has committed to providing everything needed to show that this modernization program can truly work—if the right ingredients are in place,” the transport chief said.
Following the meeting with DOTr, Benitez convened with CPDO Head Dr. Jean Ramos and City Administrator Dr. Lucille Gelvolea and BTTMD Head, Patrick Lacson to follow through on what was agreed in the meeting.
They were tasked to determine the required number of jeepney units per route, assess the deployment of E-jeepneys including the availability and location of charging stations, and conduct a comprehensive profiling / establish a database as basis in identifying interventions to ensure successful implementation of the modernization program.
The City is currently awaiting an Executive Order from the DOTr, which may introduce new regulatory mechanisms aligned with the proposed reforms.
Joining the Secretary are Usec. Mon Reyes, Asec. Mon Ilagan, GM Jay Santiago, DDG Danjun Lucas, Asec. Mich De Vera, COS Allan Yap, Dir. Zhane Liwanag, along with LTO officials Asec. Vigor, ED Greg, RD Geduspan, RD Glenn, other RDs/ARDs, and LTFRB Chairman Jojo, Atty. Altura and ED Loumer.
