400 PUV groups march in support of modernization program

Up to 400 groups of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers marched in support of the PUV modernization program, according to a Balitanghali report on Tuesday.

GMA's Joseph Morong reported that the march started at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City and ended in Mendiola, Manila.

The United Transport Consolidated Entities urged government transportation agencies to refrain extending the December 31 consolidation deadline.

The group said its members, who came from different parts of the country, have already accomplished the consolidation process ahead of the deadline,

It added that 1,700 groups, 120 of which are in Metro Manila, have also consolidated.

The group also refuted claims from anti-modernization groups that cooperatives have no income, adding that loan from banks is aided by the government’s 20% subsidy per unit.

Meanwhile, the group assured the public that vehicles of their members would be available for commuters who would be affected by the two-day transport strike of PISTON on December 14 to 15.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have yet to issue a statement on the march.

Earlier in the day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that there would be no extension on PUV consolidation after December 31.

"Adhering to the current timeline ensures that everyone can reap the benefits of the full operationalization of our modernized public transport system. Hence, the scheduled timeline will not be moved," Marcos said in a statement.

He also added that 70% of the PUVs in the country have already consolidated under the modernization program.

"We cannot let the minority cause further delays and affect the majority of the operators, banks, financial institutions, and the public at large," Marcos added.

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, in a statement last November 16, stated that PUVs who will not be able to consolidate by the deadline will still be given a grace period to maintain their franchises until a consolidated cooperative would be able to ply their routes.

“Kung ang isang ruta ay may 50 jeep na lumalayag, at iyong 40 roon ay consolidated na at may 10 na hindi pa nagko-consolidate, eh ang kailangan mong jeep ay singkwenta. Iyong sampu, puwede pang bumiyahe hanggang hindi natatapos iyong consolidation noong 40,” Guadiz said.

(For example, if one route needs 50 jeeps to serve it, and 40 of these are consolidated and 10 have yet to be consolidated, the 10 jeeps will still be allowed to ply their routes until the 40 jeeps have finished their consolidation.) 

“To prevent a vacuum in certain areas, we will temporarily allow iyong hindi nag-consolidate until the consolidation of 40 others are finished. But the moment that is finished, (the 10 jeeps) will have to stop traversing that route. Hindi na sila puwede bumiyahe,” he added.

(They will no longer be allowed to operate.).—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News