Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) extension of the authority for unconsolidated public utility vehicle operators to operate until January 31 will allow for a smooth transition.
This extension stipulated in LTFRB Board Resolution No. 2, Series of 2024, “allows for a smooth transition, considering the logistical challenges in finalizing the routes that fall under the Number of Authorized Units (NAU)”, he said on Thursday, January 11.
“This extension aims to balance the modernization program’s requirements with the practical concerns of our local operators,” he added.
Operators must ensure their units are registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and possess valid Personal Passenger Accident Insurance Coverage, he said.
The extension, embodied in the Board Resolution, serves as their authority during this transitional period, Benitez said.
Benitez assured of his unwavering commitment to a phased implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Only 23 percent or 540 of the 2,313 traditional jeepneys in Bacolod City have consolidated into a cooperative or a corporation as of January, which is required under the modernization program, Benitez said earlier.*