JV Ejercito: Set PUV modernization deadline to after mass transport infra built

Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday raised the need to extend the deadline for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program, saying new mass transportation infrastructure should be completed first.

“While we are in the process of constructing all of these major mass transits, probably, itong sa PUV modernization, we'll have to—may time pa. Probably, it can be extended ‘yung deadline hangga’t hindi pa gumagana lahat—MRT 7, Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Line—then, probably, it’s worth considering to extend,” Ejercito, vice chairman of Senate public services committee, said.

“Siguro by now—in the next three to five years, once all of these mass transits are on line, siguro ‘yung PUV modernization will…by that time ready na rin. Parang lahat nang ‘yun sanga-sanga. Parang siya ang magiging feeder sa mass transit para modernized na po lahat,” he added.

While he raised the need to extend the deadline for PUV modernization, Ejercito said the public must “have to trust the Executive [Branch].”

“Sometimes, there are decisions that are difficult, kaya lang you have to weigh things. Kasi siguro, in the Executive's point of view, if we keep on delaying the PUV modernization program, it will never materialize but also we have to weigh things, we have to balance,” he said.

“Kung titingnan natin ang impact, dapat ma-assess nang tama how many will be affected because of this decision to not anymore extend itong PUV modernization. Sakin mas importante po 'yon,” he said.

Ejercito said there are problems that should be looked into, including “self-inflicted” problems made by the government as well as some stakeholders in the transportation sector.

“Admittedly, there are a lot of self-inflicted wounds. ‘Yung mga problema ngayon na lumalabas, na  kagagawan din dati ng both operators and the government. We have to just correct everything,” he said.

He also mentioned the need for the transportation system to be organized.

Ejercito cited as an example the EDSA bus system, which he said can only accommodate 1,800 buses, but the bus operators are now at around 140.

“It’s a difficult thing. It’s a big challenge for us to reorganize and to rationalize everything. I-organize ang buses and jeepneys into co-ops…Madaming mistakes in the past that have to be corrected. So, we just have to trust the leadership kung ano ang kanilang magiging direction,” he said.

The deadline for the consolidation of jeepney operators under the PUV modernization is on December 31, 2023, with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. saying it will not be extended.

Marcos made the announcement two days before transport groups led by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) held a two-day transport strike to oppose the modernization program. PISTON and another transport group, MANIBELA, are currently holding another transport strike.

The PUV modernization program, which started in 2017, aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that are not roadworthy by Land Transportation Office (LTO) standards.

Each unit, however, would cost over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) said is too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said PUV drivers and operators who will not meet the December 31 deadline will not immediately lose their franchise to operate, but that the grace period will be limited.

According to the Department of Transportation, around 70% of jeepney operators have already complied with the consolidation process. — BM, GMA Integrated News