The Bacolod City Council has taken a decisive step to intervene in a transport cooperative dispute, formally requesting a halt on the issuance of new franchises for modernized public utility vehicles.
Council Resolution Seeks Regulatory Pause
During its regular session on Tuesday afternoon, December 16, 2025, the council approved a resolution authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos. The measure directs the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Region 6, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), to defer granting permits for 21 modernized public utility jeepneys (PUVs) to the Cebu People's Jeep Cooperative.
The resolution specifically asks LTFRB-6 Director Richard Osmeña, via DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, to hold in abeyance the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) and related permits for the units. Councilor Ramos, who chairs the committee on transportation, cited ongoing intra-cooperative disputes among the cooperative's members as the primary reason for the request.
Root of the Conflict: Governance and Allocation
Ramos explained that while the Cebu People's Jeep Cooperative has an allocation for 60 modernized units under the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), there are serious internal conflicts. The disputes revolve around issues of governance, member participation, and the allocation of units and privileges under the modernization program.
He emphasized that the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) holds jurisdiction over such matters. Under the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 (Republic Act 9520) and the law strengthening the CDA (RA 11364), the agency has mechanisms like conciliation-mediation and arbitration to settle internal disputes. Ramos stressed that these legal processes must be respected to protect the rights of all cooperative members.
Upholding Due Process in PUV Modernization
The council's move aims to ensure the orderly implementation of the PUVMP. Ramos argued that issuing new franchises amid an unresolved conflict could worsen internal tensions and lead to unfair outcomes for some members. "To uphold due process, ensure orderly implementation of the PUVMP, and prevent regulatory actions that may aggravate internal conflicts... it is prudent to hold in abeyance the issuance of new franchises," he stated.
He clarified that the requested deferment is without prejudice to the commuting public and does not affect existing, valid franchises or ongoing operations that are already legally authorized. The resolution serves as a precautionary measure, urging national regulators to wait for a final resolution from either the CDA or a competent court before proceeding with the new permits.
This action highlights the local government's role in ensuring that national programs like the PUVMP are implemented fairly and without exacerbating local conflicts within transport sector organizations.
