Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya is moving to recalibrate the city’s approach to the national Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program as concerns from transport groups intensify ahead of route evaluations and franchise consolidation deadlines.

According to the Bacolod City Communications Office, Gasataya has set a formal dialogue with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Land Transportation Office and leaders of the city’s transport sector.

The meeting aims to iron out issues that traditional jeepney operators fear may lead to loss of livelihood once modernized units dominate new routes.

The decision came after Gasataya held a post-flag-raising discussion on Monday, November 17, with leaders of the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD), Kabacod Negros Transport Coalition (KNETCO), and United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC).

“We want transparency, and we guarantee that everyone will be part of the process,” Gasataya told transport groups, assuring them that the city will not move forward without thorough consultation.

A key issue raised was the inclusion of unconsolidated jeepney units in route assessments — an indicator transport groups say could prematurely justify adding more modernized vehicles while sidelining traditional operators.

BACOD Chairman Rudy Catedral reiterated their position.

“We just want to ensure that we retain our routes. Again, we reiterate our call for jeepney rehabilitation, not phaseout,” Catedral said.

In response, Gasataya said the city is eyeing a feasibility study to explore financial support schemes for operators willing to shift to modernized units — an attempt to address long-standing concerns about affordability.

KNETCO President Lilian Sembrano welcomed the city’s stance, thanking the administration for what she described as its openness and steady engagement with the sector./WDJ