Poe on PUV modernization: ‘Marami pang butas na kailangan ayusin’

Several holes in the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program still need to be addressed, Senator Grace Poe said Monday.

“Hindi ko masasabi na buong-buo na at maayos na ang kanilang plano. Talagang marami pang butas na kailangan nilang ayusin,” Poe said in an ambush interview.

Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, is conducting a hearing on the government’s PUV modernization plan.

The Senator said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would have to clarify the program's guidelines, including on funding and accreditation of manufacturers.

“Unang-una yung funding, saan talaga manggaling iyan. 'Yung interes na babayaran sa utang baka naman pwedeng babaan pa,” Poe said.

“Pangatlo, yung mga manufacturers may mga sinasabi sila na kahit sino pwede basta compliant ang makina. 'Yung guidelines kailangang malinawan sino ang accredited kung mayroon ba o wala,” she added.

Poe also cited the views of some transport groups that it would be impossible to roll out the PUV modernization plan in the next three years.

“Marami pang konsultasyon na dapat mangyari, sinabi ng ating ibang consultants, imposibleng maroll-out ito ng tatlong taon dahil napakaraming mga jeeps, parang 230,000 ang involved tapos ang pondo natin hindi naman sapat para sa kanila,” Poe said.

“Ang problema ng iba kung kakayanin ba nila, napagusapan na may pagkakataon namang makayanan pero talagang kailangang pagaralan mabuti,” she added.

Poe called on transport groups to air their side in a hearing after the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) attempted to hold a two-day transport strike on December 4 and 5. — BM, GMA News