April 22, 2025 – The City of Bacolod, through its City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), held the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) Consultation 2025 today at the L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City.

Key figures present during the event were Mayor Albee Benitez, Chairperson of the Committees on Transportation and Traffic, Education, Laws and Ordinances, Urban Planning, and Councilor Al Espino, Councilors Kalaw Puentevella and Celia Flor, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Head Dr. Mary Jean Ramos, City Administrator Dr. Lucille Gelvolea, City Legal Office Head Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu, Bacolod Transportation and Traffic Management Department (BTTMD) Head Patrick Lacson, City Engineer’s Office Head Engr. Loben Ceballos, DILG City Director Christian Nagaynay, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Region VI Regional Director Richard Osmeña, Transport Leaders Lilian Sembrano and Rudy Catedral.

“This activity is one way of understanding the situation and the problem faced by the transport sector. We have tried making headways for us to really move forward concerning the industry. This is one of the first steps in achieving the solution in having a better environment. In any city, transportation is an integral part of development,” Mayor Albee Benitez remarked during his special message.

The event served its noble purpose to listen to the sentiments, concerns, and feedbacks related to transport, particularly public transportation, to better serve the commuting public. Bacolod City’s Green Routes and Electric Vehicles were also shared. Currently, there are 10 electric vehicles in the city, 605 modern units, and 1,266 approved consolidated traditional units based on the data from LTFRB.

In Councilor Al Espino’s opening message, 16% of the city’s public transport remains unconsolidated.

The event featured activities such as the sharing of the Current Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) Monitoring Report, a Video Presentation on the Best Practices of Mass Public Transport System and Electric Vehicles, and a Stakeholders’ Consultation and Feedback Session which was participated by various stakeholders, including Transport Cooperatives and Operators, Public Transport Passengers and Commuters, and the Business Sector.

The LPTRP in Bacolod was adopted through the City Ordinance No. 966 or the “An Ordinance Adopting the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of Bacolod City, Providing Policies and Guidelines for its Implementation and for Other Purposes” in the year 2021.

Lastly, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon is expected to visit Bacolod City on April 25.

Source – Bacolod City PIO