'I'll sell it for scrap': Jeepney operators at a loss over PUV Modernization

Past the deadline for the consolidation of franchises under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, many jeepneys still went on their usual routes on the first day of 2024.

Despite not being in favor of consolidation, jeepney driver/operator Arturo Vinluan rushed to submit his documents before the deadline. But he still has to figure out how he can afford to purchase a modern jeep.

“Para kaming ninanakawan na ano, yung naka-dilat ang mata. Paano kami na mahihirap na operator? Magkakautang kami. Buti kung mga ano lang yan, libo lang yan. Milyon ang ano pinag-uusapan dyan. Saan kami pa kukuha ng ano, pambayad nyan?”, Vinluan told Saleema Refran in a 24 Oras report on Monday.

(It’s like we’re being robbed with our eyes wide open. What will happen to us poor operators? We will be buried in debt. It would be better if it’s in the thousands but we’re talking about millions. Where will we get the money for that?)

There are those who refused to consolidate past the deadline.

“Ayaw namin kasi hindi po namin kaya. Dahil mabigat ang ibibigay nila unit sa amin, i-papa-utang. Saka ba’t magko-consolidate, prangkisa namin yan,” said jeepney driver/operator Jaime Grande.

(We refused because we cannot afford it. The units they are offering are too expensive. Why should we consolidate? These are our franchises.)

“May edad na rin kami. Tapos 63 na ako ngayon. Papasok pa ako, maghahanap pa ako ng bayaran na P2.5 milyon ang halaga ng sasakyan nila?”, said another driver, Rogelio Maranan.

(Some of us are old. I am already 63. I’ll go to work and also have to look for ways to pay the P2.5 million for their vehicle?)

“Wala ka nang kabuhayan. Ang gagawin ko na lang sa jeep, i-per kilo ko na lang. Tapos ang gagawin ko uwi na lang kami ng probinsya,” Maranan added.

(This means the loss of my means of income. I will just sell my jeep for scrap metal. Then I will just go home to the province.)

Based on data from the DOTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives, 70% of franchises have consolidated nationwide but only 40% have done so in Metro Manila.

The OTD said there were many operators who rushed to beat the December 31 deadline yesterday and they will learn the final numbers in the following days.

In an interview on Unang Balita, Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) chairman Jesus Ortega said there is some leeway for those who have not consolidated, “Yung mga operators na hindi nila kinonsolidate yung kanilang prangkisa ay talagang hindi na sila pwedeng bibyahe yung kanilang sasakyan. Pero bibigyan natin sila ng due process, mga 30 days.”

(Operators who have not consolidated their franchises will no longer be allowed to ply their routes. But they will be given due process of 30 days.)

The OTC head said the agency will help affected drivers: “Yung mga drivers ng mga operators na hindi nag-consolidate definitely pwede natin sila magbyahe, matulungan magbyahe yung mga drivers doon sa mga operators na sasalo doon sa hindi nag-consolidate.”

(The drivers of operators who did not consolidate are definitely allowed to ply their routes, they can get help go on trips by operators who consolidated.)

The Supreme Court did not issue any temporary restraining orders for the two petitions submitted by transport groups, which means the modernization program will go ahead while the High Court studies the petition.—Rhoel Fernandez/KG, GMA Integrated News