8K drivers, operators withdraw from PUV consolidation  

Around 8,000 operators and drivers of public utility vehicles who had previously applied for consolidation under the PUV modernization program have withdrawn, according to transport groups.

This was after the 45-day extension given by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for consolidation ended on Friday, November 29, Bernadette Reyes reported on ''24 Oras Weekend.''

Transport group MANIBELA said 6,000 of its members and 2,000 members of PISTON have left the consolidation scheme.

“Dati nakaka-biyahe sila ng lima hanggang ani na beses sa isang linggo. Ngayon po, dalawang beses na lang kasi iniipit na sila dahil nga ang gusto ng kooperatiba yung modern na lang ang patatakbuhin,” said Mar Valbuena, MANIBELA chairman.

(They used to drive up to five times a week. Now, they can only do two times a week since the cooperative only prioritizes the modern ones.)

“Pagpapakita pa rin talaga ito na hindi pa rin talaga naaabot ng LTFRB at gobyerno yung sinasabi nilang 83% na nag-comply sa usapin ng programa. Mula nung pumasok sila sa corporation, ay nawala yung kanilang pang-arawaraw na kinikita dahil sa kanilang boundary. Sabi nga ng mga operator, sumunod nga kami sa programa pero kami yung nawalan ng kabuhayan,” said Mody Floranda, PISTON national president.

(This shows that the LTFRB and the government still haven't reached what they say is 83% who have complied with the program. Since they entered the corporation, they lost their daily income because of their boundary. The operators said we should follow the program, but we are the ones who lost our livelihood.)

The two groups aim to communicate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow them to register and renew their franchise even though they have not yet consolidated.

“Kahit hindi po kami consolidated o kahit hindi kami kasali sa mga transport cooperatives, sana makapagpa-register pa rin kamo ng aming mga motor vehivle, ng aming mga jeepney para makabiyahe pa rin po lalo na ngayong magpa-Pasko at Bagong Taon, ang hirap po ng biyahe,” said Valbuena.

(Even though we are not consolidated or even if we are not involved in transport cooperatives, I hope we can still register our motor vehicles and our jeepneys so that we can still travel, especially now that Christmas and New Year are coming; it is difficult for the drivers.)

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get comments from the LTFRB and DOTr.  — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News