The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) is set to expand transportation options on the Miagao campus with the introduction of a new four-wheeled public utility vehicle (PUV) beginning August 2026.
The announcement was shared during the Stakeholders Meeting on the Updates on the Opening of Public Transportation Routes within the UPV Miagao Campus on 27 July 2026, following years of planning, consultations, and coordination with the Local Government Unit of Miagao, Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), West Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC), Bolho-Sapa-UP Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BSUTODA), and UPV stakeholders.
The initiative began in June 2022, when UPV met with the BSUTODA and realized that tricycles could not safely traverse the steep road leading to the New Academic Core. As a result, the university pursues the inclusion of four-wheeled PTV on the campus.
The UPV and BSUTODA subsequently worked with the Municipality of Miagao and the LTFRB from August 2022 to February 2023. After submitting documents, checking the routes, and conducting multiple surveys, in November 2023, the LTFRB Regional Office 6 recommended creating the UPV Campus Loop as a new route that would need 10 Class 1 public utility jeepney units.
Following the LTFRB’s findings, UPV held a series of consultations and town hall meetings with its stakeholders, including BSUTODA, from September 2024 to September 2025 to discuss possible arrangements and address concerns regarding the new transport option.
The plan encountered challenges when the LTFRB clarified that only juridical entities are eligible to apply for four-wheeled PUV franchises, making BSUTODA ineligible to apply directly. This prompted BSUTODA to coordinate with the WVTC.
In April 2025, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025-013, officially approving the UPV Miagao campus Loop as a new developmental route and opening the selection process for the issuance of a new Certificate of Public Convenience.
The LTFRB Regional Office 6 opened applications in May 2025 and conducted two subsequent reopening periods (August 13 and 26) before the WVTC formally submitted its application on 26 August 2025. The cooperative later received the Notice of Award in September 2025.
On 30 March 2026, WVTC invited BSUTODA for a meeting to explore possible operational arrangements, including vehicle leasing, to allow the BSUTODA expand its operation to include the management of the four-wheeled PUVs at UPV. However, projected rental costs of at least ₱30,000.00 per unit exceeded BSUTODA’s financial capacity, prompting discussions about WVTC’s proposal to extend the service route to include the university dormitories and staff housing to improve revenue potential.
During a meeting convened by the LTFRB on 21 July 2026 with UPV, WVTC, and BSUTODA, the parties, after thorough discussions, agreed to extend the proposed route for the four-wheeled PUV to the dormitories and staff houses. The LTFRB also committed to issuing a special permit allowing WVTC to temporarily deploy two Class 2 units while awaiting the delivery of brand-new Class 1 units.
The official operation of the four-wheeled PUV is scheduled to begin on 17 August 2026, with a dry run planned during the second week of August.
Written by NGC Gemalaya; with sources from CDMO
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