LTFRB: Other phases of PUV modernization to proceed despite protests

Other phases of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will proceed as planned despite the protests or strikes that will be staged by some transport groups, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday. 

Interviewed on Unang Balita, LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the government has blueprint for the PUVMP since 2017, and its implementation is more important now that the submission of applications for PUV operators to consolidate has ended. 

"We remain firm with our stand na tapos na po ang consolidation and we will proceed with the other phases ng modernization. This is a 10-phased program na nagsisimula sa consolidation. 'Yung pangalawa will be the operationalization," he said. 

(We remain firm with our stand that the consolidation is over and we will proceed with the other phases of modernization. This is a 10-phased program that begins with consolidation. The second phase will be the operationalization.) 

"Matagal pa naman ang sinasabi nilang phaseout. Ang hinihiling lang namin ay bilang panimula ay bumuo sila ng mga asosasyon para maayos natin ang sistema ng pampublikong sasakyan sa Pilipinas." 

(It's still a long way before what they call the phaseout. All we are asking is that they form associations for now so that we can fix the public transport system in the Philippines.) 

Transport group MANIBELA announced Sunday that it will hold a transport protest on Tuesday in a bid to persuade President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to reinstate the revoked franchises of drivers and operators who were unable to consolidate.

MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said they are hoping that there would be a hearing in Congress that would result in a recommendation to Marcos to extend the validity of the franchise of those PUV operators and drivers who failed to consolidate. 

"Hindi makatwiran ang pag-revoke sa aming mga prangkisa. Lumabas sa pandinig na paulit-ulit nating sinasabi na labag ito sa batas. Saang probisyon doon sa aming mga prangkisa na kami ay ire-revoke kapag hindi magko-consolidate?" Valbuena said in a separate Unang Balita interview.

(Revoking our franchises is unreasonable and is against the law. What provision in our franchises states that we will be revoked if we do not consolidate?) 

Started in 2017, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises in cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the PUVMP. This aims to pass the burden of acquiring modernized units from operators to the transport entity.

The expiry of consolidation for the PUVMP expired on December 31, 2023, but in a December 25 Memorandum, the LTFRB said that individual operators in routes without a consolidated transport service entity (TSE) may be allowed to operate until January 31.

Other consolidated TSEs may secure special three-month permits to operate past January 31 on routes without consolidated TSEs.

Following the expiry of the LTFRB memorandum, unconsolidated jeepney drivers and operators will be considered “colorum”. 

Rescue buses

For the government's part, Guadiz said rescue buses have been put in place in case needed by commuters. Jeepneys were also deployed in areas where PUV operators failed to consolidate. 

"'Yung sinabing madaming pasaherong maapektuhan, walang katotohanan 'yan," he said.

(It is not true that many passengers will be affected by the protest.) 

The Office of Transportation Cooperatives on Sunday appealed to PUV operators and drivers who failed to consolidate before the deadline to stop plying their routes beginning February 1 to avoid conflicts with apprehending authorities. —KBK/NB, GMA Integrated News