The entry of four-wheeled public utility vehicles (PUVs) into the University of the Philippines Visayas Miagao campus is part of the university’s ongoing transport development efforts and follows several years of discussion that has involved the UPV admin, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Miagao local government, the Bolho-Sapa-UP Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BSUTODA), and later the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC).
The discussions have unfolded within a campus transport system that has long been centered on BSUTODA tricycles. For many students, faculty members, staff, and nearby residents, these tricycles have long been the primary mode of transportation within UPV. Under the current arrangement, tricycles continue serving dormitories, staff houses, and academic areas. The planned PUJ route includes the New Academic Core perched on the higher end of the campus, which tricycles have generally not served because of the steep terrain, while also overlapping with portions of the existing tricycle route.
This timeline traces the major developments that led to the entry of four-wheeled PUJs into UPV, from the initial discussions in 2022 to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in 2026. It was prepared using information from the stakeholder meeting held on 27 July 2026 and interviews conducted as part of Pagbutlak’s continuing coverage. Pagbutlak also requested an interview with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration (OVCA) on 28 July 2026; the request was acknowledged by the office and arrangements for an interview have yet to be confirmed as of this writing.
| 2022 – 2023 |
8 AUG 2022
UPV admin informs BSUTODA of planned four-wheeled transport
The UPV administration and BSUTODA met regarding transportation within the new academic core.
According to the UPV admin, BSUTODA was informed that only four-wheeled public utility vehicles (PUVs) would be allowed to operate in the area.
15 AUG 2022
BSUTODA seeks authority to operate four-wheeled PUVs
Former BSUTODA President Noel Libo-on wrote to the LTFRB expressing intent to operate four-wheeled vehicles and apply for a franchise inside UPV.
18 AUG 2022
The LTFRB referred BSUTODA’s request to the Miagao Local Government Unit for possible inclusion in the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP)*
* LPTRP is a plan detailing the route network, mode, and required number of units per mode for delivering public land transport services (DILG, 2017).
30 SEP 2022
UPV requested that the proposed campus loop route be included in the LPTRP and endorsed BSUTODA’s proposed four-wheeled operation to the LTFRB through the Miagao LGU
15 NOV 2022
The Miagao LGU passed Resolution No. B2022-091 stating that it had no objection to UPV’s proposed campus loop route
13 JAN – 24 FEB 2023
The LTFRB requested additional documents for the proposed route on 13 January 2023; UPV submitted the documents to Miagao LGU on 30 January 2023; the Miagao LGU then endorsed the documents to the LTFRB on 24 February 2023.
| 2024 – 2025 |
SEP 2024 – SEP 2025
Consultations continue as BSUTODA explores cooperative membership
UPV held a series of meetings and consultations with BSUTODA and other stakeholders.
To qualify for a PUV franchise, BSUTODA for membership with the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC).
As part of the membership requirements, three BSUTODA members contributed a total of ₱15,000 for the application.*
However, the WVTC Board did not approve an arrangement that would have allowed BSUTODA to own the vehicles while handling the transport operations. No explanation for the board’s decision was made available.
The application process involved bureaucratic legwork and other logistical efforts, with members personally covering expenses of around ₱40,000 in hopes of operating the four-wheeled service.
28 APR 2025
LTFRB formally opens the new route: the UPV Campus Loop
LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2025-013 approved the UPV Campus Loop as a new developmental route and opened the selection process for a Certificate of Public Convenience*
* A CPC is an authorization issued by the LTFRB for the operation of land transportation services for public use as required by law.
26 MAY 2025
Applications for the UPV Campus Loop begin
LTFRB Region VI opened applications for operators interested in the UPV Miagao Campus Loop route.
26 AUG 2025
WVTC applies to operate UPV Campus Loop
WVTC filed its application with the LTFRB to operate the UPV Campus Loop. They later received the Notice of Award in September 2025.
4 SEP 2025
UPV drafts agreement with stakeholders
UPV held a stakeholders meeting to present the proposed transport arrangement and begin drafting a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
| 2026 |
30 MAR 2026
UPV, WVTC, and BSUTODA discuss possible operating arrangements
WVTC presented two options:
- BSUTODA could rent WVTC-owned vehicles and manage operations, or
- WVTC could extend the route to the dormitories to help cover operating costs.
BSUTODA said it could not afford a monthly rental fee of ₱30,000 or more per unit; WVTC later estimated the monthly fee amounting to ₱40,000 per unit. The financial arrangements for vehicle maintenance and upkeep were also not clearly discussed. BSUTODA said this was beyond their members’ financial capacity.
After conducting its own corroboration, the USC stated that the BSUTODA informed them that the association did not give any explicit written or verbal approval to either option and felt that the pace of developments placed pressure on members to make a decision.*
* This March 30 meeting was later cited by the admin in relation to BSUTODA’s supposed approval of the proposal, although BSUTODA maintained that the meeting ended without a final agreement.
21 JUL 2026
LTFRB meeting sets extension of route and operational timeline
UPV, WVTC, and the LTFRB met and agreed to extend the route to the dorms and staff houses.
However, the USC found out that the BSUTODA was unaware of this agreement and that the USC had not been informed of the changes made to the MOA before it was signed.*
The LTFRB would grant a special permit for two WVTC Class 2 units while new Class 1 units were being delivered. WVTC was scheduled to begin operations on 17 August 2026, with a dry run set for the week within 10 August.
* Though all three bodies agreed to meet, the WVTC had left the meeting before BSUTODA’s arrival. Notably, no other stakeholders were present.
Sample Design of Class 1 Unit PUV
University of the Philippines Visayas/Facebook
Sample Design of Class 2 Unit PUV
Hino Batangas/Website (Not actual PUV Unit)
27 JUL 2026
UPV holds another stakeholder meeting
The UPV admin later met with campus stakeholders to announce that the proposed transport implementation would move forward with the signing of the MOA. The scheduled dry run on August 10 was also pushed up to August 5.
During the meeting, the UPV admin clarified that it was intended to present updates and next steps, not to gather further consultation.
When the USC questioned why the BSUTODA was not invited, the UPV admin said it had already met with the them separately and that their inputs had already been considered in the decisions presented.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On 30 July 2026, the UP Academic Employees Union, BSUTODA, and the UPV USC met to discuss plans moving forward, including the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
5 AUG 2026
Signing of the MOA
UPV and WVTC signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the UPV Campus Loop operation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
What happens next?
Following the signing of the MOA, UPV and WVTC are expected to proceed with the planned dry runs and operational preparations for the campus loop service.
August 10 will also be the first major test of how the new four-wheeled service and the long-standing BSUTODA tricycle operations function alongside one another in serving students, faculty members, staff, and other members of the UPV community.
As implementation moves forward, campus stakeholders, such as the All Academic Workers Union and the UPV USC, are also looking toward the careful finalization of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) with particular attention to how the new campus loop service will be coordinated with the existing BSUTODA operations.
Leave a Reply