Senators ask DOTr on route plans under PUV modernization

Senators on Friday quizzed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on developments on the proposed routes for jeepneys that have joined the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), according to a "24 Oras" report by Sandra Aguinaldo.

During the public hearing, Senator Grace Poe said that the DOTr earlier promised to approve 50% of Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRP) by June 30, 2024. However, as of last May, Poe pointed out that only around 12% or 174 LPTRPs have been approved.

According to the DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the route plan is expected to be finished in 2026.

“Dapat lahat ay magtulong-tulong at maproduce yung LPTRP at the deadline po of 2026,” said DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega.

(We should all work together to produce the LPTRP at the deadline of 2026)

Tulfo also questioned why local government units are in charge of planning the PUV routes.

“Ginagawang negosyo ni mayor. Yung ruta, ibibigay sa kamag-anakan and that’s not fair. Huwag natin totally ibigay sa LGU yung route rationalization,” said Tulfo.

(Mayor is turning it into a business. They give the routes to their relatives and that’s not fair. Let’s not totally give LGUs the route rationalization)

“Ang pamahalaan ng isang local government ang nakakaalam kung ano yung magagandang ruta. Kung inyo pong sasabihin na ito’y kunin ng DOTr, ito ay pag-aaralan namin,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz responded.

(The local government knows the best routes. If you say that this should be taken by the DOTr, we’d have to study that.)

Meanwhile, transport group Manibela’s request to allow unconsolidated jeepneys to operate was met with opposition.

“Ilan extension na po ang consolidation? And tanong magko-consolidate ba siya? Sumunod kaming lahat sa mga sinasabi niyo po eh, tapos may isang tao lang na ayaw. Operator ba siya?” said Marlene Ramos of the group Busina.

(How many extensions to consolidate have been made? The question is, will they really consolidate? We’ve complied with the requirements, then there's one person who's against consolidation, is he even an operator?)

Manibela representative Mar Valbuena rejected the accusation that they were against modernization.  Meanwhile, transport group KABACOD Inc. from Bacolod requested for a renewal of the franchise without modernization.

“Go kayo. Congratulations kung gaganda sa inyo [ang] modernization, pero kami, irespeto ang karapatan mabuhay ang pamilya namin. Kaya humihingi kami sa mga senador na nandito, irenew na ang prangkisa namin. Maganda ba yung modernization na may mamamatay at tsaka kayo ay mabuhay?” said the group's president Lilian Sembrano.

(Go. Congratulations if modernization is better for you, but for us, respect the right of our families to live. That’s why we are asking the senators here to renew our franchise. Is it a good modernization if some people die but you get to live?)

Local jeepney manufacturers Sarao Motors and Francisco Motors, who reportedly offered cheaper modernized jeepney units, also attended the hearing. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News