LTFRB: 10,000 operators, drivers seen to join as PUV consolidation reopens

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday said about 10,000 operators and drivers are expected to join the government's Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) after applications for consolidation were reopened last Oct. 15.

“We anticipate about 7% to 8% target would mean about 10,000 operators and drivers who will be joining the cooperative,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a public briefing.

He added that over 700 public utility vehicles have joined the PTMP since the consolidation applications were reopened.

“Ito na po yung kahuli-hulian. Talagang wala na po kaming balak pang buksan yung window area for modernization para sa hindi maka-comply,” Guadiz said.

(This is really the last time. We don’t have any more intention of opening the window area for modernization for those who fail to comply.)

Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers may apply for consolidation until Nov. 29.

In a previous interview with GMA News Online, Guadiz said the LTFRB reopened the applications for 45 days in response to the Senate’s request.

Twenty-two of the 23 senators signed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

However, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stood firm behind the PUVMP despite the Senate resolution.

In the same interview, Guadiz said PUV operators and drivers are only allowed to join existing cooperatives as they are not allowed to form their own.’’

“Sa aming pag-aaral kasi may mga kooperatiba na may hawak na sa iba’t ibang rota so hindi ka na pwede magdagdag pa,” Guadiz explained in the public briefing.

(Based on our study, there are cooperative that handles different routes so we cannot add more cooperatives.)

The LTFRB initially said unconsolidated PUVs are deemed "colorum," or operating without a franchise, after the April 30 deadline for consolidation. — BM, GMA Integrated News