Pro-Modernized Jeepney Groups Cancel Iloilo Caravan

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations Inc. (WVATCCI) has canceled its planned caravan originally scheduled for today, April 25, in support of the national government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

WVATCCI consultant Perfecto Yap told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Wednesday, April 24, that the decision came after a meeting with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Instead of holding the caravan, WVATCCI will release a position paper responding to the verbal pronouncements made by Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.

“There will be no caravan happening on April 25. The WVATCCI will not do that,” Yap said in a radio interview.

Earlier this month, Dizon announced that traditional jeepney units not yet consolidated under the PUVMP would be allowed to operate again.

“What the alliance did was to write a position paper on Dizon’s verbal pronouncements regarding the return of franchises for unconsolidated jeepney units and the continuation of consolidation,” Yap said.

The position paper reiterates WVATCCI’s opposition to the policy and seeks an exemption for Iloilo City.

Citing the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) under City Regulation Ordinance No. 2023-053, the group said that reinstating franchises for unconsolidated units would not suit Iloilo City’s transport system.

“Considering that Iloilo City has complied with all LPTRP requirements, and all routes were already awarded to various operators, Dizon’s pronouncements are not applicable here. We are seeking exemption,” Yap said.

He said the position paper has been endorsed by Mayor Treñas and will be forwarded to Secretary Dizon.

Yap added that WVATCCI will wait for Dizon’s response before taking further action, citing the lack of a formal policy behind the DOTr secretary’s statements.