• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Negros Island Regional director Gerry Llena highlighted the inaugural Bacolod Electric Vehicle (EV) Summit held this week as an opportunity for commuters, investors, and transport operators navigating rising fossil fuel costs.
Llena said that while fuel markets remain beyond local control, introducing electric vehicles provides a manageable alternative for the public transport sector.
“We are given an avenue of opportunity and we should grab it,” Llena said, noting that transport services organized under public franchises operate as privileges rather than ordinary businesses.
He noted that franchise holders are expected to fulfill public service obligations, including serving students and late-night commuters.
The LTFRB chief added that transport modernization requires changes beyond vehicle replacement alone.
“We are going towards modernization in the sense that modernization is not only of the fleet, and is not just the vehicle that needs to be modernized; the plan, the concept, the way of approaching it, the delivery, and the implementation of the program must also be modernized,” Llena said.
Supported by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, the summit runs from Oct. 26 to 30 at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and brings together 12 EV suppliers, solar energy providers, and financial institutions for test-drives, networking sessions, and product presentations. | TMD
