Bacolod to Present E-Jeep Program to DOTr

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and his team are set to visit Bacolod City on Friday, April 25, to assess the city’s electric jeepney (e-jeep) initiatives under the public utility vehicle modernization program.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said he invited Dizon to witness Bacolod’s efforts in transitioning to e-jeepneys as a benchmark for transport modernization.

Ten e-jeepneys currently operate in the city under the Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC), also known as People’s Jeep, in partnership with e-Future Motors Philippines Inc. and Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd.

Benitez said CPMPC is awaiting financing support to procure more units, which cost PHP2.4 million each and can accommodate 21 passengers.

He said the supplier is capable of providing up to 900 e-jeepneys to Bacolod, depending on demand and fulfillment of requirements.

It took about two years for the supplier to bring the vehicles to Bacolod and support the city’s modernization push, he said.

In July last year, the city and e-Future launched the e-jeepney, which is equipped with air conditioning, four speakers, a radio, four closed-circuit television cameras, and a global positioning system.

The units began operating in October, with charging stations located at the Bacolod City Government Center and Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

The city is scouting additional sites for more charging stations.

Friday’s meeting will also cover Bacolod’s proposal to establish green routes for e-jeepneys, promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

The modernization program, launched in June 2017, seeks to phase out public utility vehicles at least 15 years old and replace them with safer and cleaner alternatives within three years.

Benitez said the city has made accommodations to help drivers comply with requirements and secure provisional authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

He said the local government has provided assistance to ensure that modernization moves forward with minimal impact on drivers.

“We tried to bend backward to help jeepney drivers meet the LTFRB’s requirements,” he said.

Benitez acknowledged that drivers’ livelihoods are at stake and emphasized the need for a balanced solution that benefits both the government and the transport sector.

He said electric vehicle adoption offers the best path forward, ensuring environmental benefits and increased profit for drivers.

“With the support of the national government, we can accelerate the shift to electric vehicles,” he added.

He admitted that Bacolod is still far from fully modernizing its public transport system but said the city is committed to finding faster solutions.

On Tuesday, the City Planning and Development Office held a Local Public Transport Route Plan consultation at L’ Fisher Hotel to gather feedback from the transport sector and improve public commuting.

LTFRB Region 6 Director Richard Osmeña and transport leaders Lilian Sembrano and Rudy Catedral were among the attendees.

Councilor Al Espino, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Transportation, said 16 percent of public transport operators in the city have not yet consolidated.

Under the modernization program, all traditional jeepneys must consolidate into cooperatives or corporations.

Failure to consolidate will result in franchise revocation and loss of operating rights.

Benitez said the consultation helps the city understand the sector’s challenges and craft better solutions.

“We are making headway toward improving the industry and creating a better environment,” he said.

“In any city, transportation is a vital part of development,” he added.

Bacolod currently has 605 modern public utility vehicles and 1,266 approved consolidated traditional units, according to LTFRB data.

The city adopted its Local Public Transport Route Plan under City Ordinance No. 966 in 2021, which outlines policies and guidelines for implementation.