PUV consolidation reopened until Nov. 29 — LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reopened applications for consolidation under the government's Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) until Nov. 29.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III on Thursday told Super Radyo dzBB that unconsolidated public utility vehicle drivers and operators can now file applications for consolidation under the PTMP, formerly known as the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Guadiz said he has reopened the application for 45 days in response to the request of the Senate.

"Binuksan ko ulit po ang consolidation ngayon (I reopened the consolidation now)," Guadiz said in an interview.

"I only gave them 45 days. Alinsunod din ito sa request ng Senado noong nagpasa sila noong una ng resolution na sinasabing i-defer namin. Ang concession ko sa kanila bubuksan ko po muli pero 45 days lang," he added.

(I only gave them 45 days. This is also in accordance with the request of the Senate when it first passed the resolution to defer the program. As a concession, I reopened the consolidation for 45 days.)

Guadiz told GMA News Online that the reopening of PUV consolidation started on Oct. 15, which means the deadline will be on Nov. 29.

However, Guadiz said unconsolidated PUV drivers and operators are only allowed to join existing cooperatives but they are not allowed to form their own.

He encouraged unconsolidated PUV drivers and operators to join the government's modernization program to receive benefits such as P10,000 for fuel subsidy, and P15,000 to P20,000 for service contracting in the Libreng Sakay program.

After the April 30 deadline for consolidation, the LTFRB initially said unconsolidated PUVs were deemed "colorum" or operating without a franchise.

However, the LTFRB allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express units to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low consolidation rates.

In July, 22 of the 23 senators signed the proposed Senate Resolution 1096 urging the government to temporarily suspend the PUV Modernization Program.

However, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stood firm behind the program despite the Senate resolution.

As of September, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said 83% of public utility vehicles were already consolidated.

Started in 2017, the government's public transport modernization program aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are not deemed roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the program.

In August, the DOTr said the program has proceeded to the route rationalization stage. — VDV, GMA Integrated News