Marcos Jr. extends PUVMP deadline by 3 months

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has approved a three-month extension of the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) as some groups are calling on the government to resolve issues in the implementation of a program designed to modernize the sector.

The new deadline for the consolidation of PUVs – a key component of the PUV modernization program (PUVMP) – is April 30, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said yesterday.

“President Marcos has approved a recommendation of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, granting an additional three months until April 30, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cut-off,” Garafil added.

Under the PUVMP, transport cooperatives will be created and entitled to benefits like state subsidies and access to credit facilities to aid in modernizing their fleets and run them in a “systematic and predictable manner.”

The deadline for the consolidation of PUVs lapsed last Dec. 31.

Initially, PUVs that did not consolidate their franchises before the deadline were permitted to ply select routes only until the end of this month.

About 38,000 out of the more than 150,000 PUVs have not undergone consolidation.

The PUVMP aims to make commuting and public transportation operations “more dignified, humane and on par with global standards” and provide a “safer, more efficient, reliable, convenient, affordable, climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable” transportation system, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Some transport groups, however, have claimed that the program would displace thousands of transport operators and drivers.

The House committee on transportation approved yesterday a resolution appealing to Marcos to “reconsider” the government’s extension of the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for the PUVMP.

Presided over by committee chair and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, committee members Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez manifested the approval of a pre-drafted resolution urging the Chief Executive to delay a little bit more the full implementation of the PUVMP.

“While the intention is beyond question and considering that the modernization of public transportation is long overdue, the needed reforms must be done in accordance with law and due process to ensure the protection of the affected stakeholders and the riding public in general,” the resolution stated.

The LTFRB is in the process of consolidating the franchise of PUV owners, and Fernandez prefers that Marcos and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) extend the PUVMP deadline.

Members of the Acop committee did not object to the manifestation, wherein the DOTr was asked to extend the franchise consolidation deadline until “the government can come up with a concrete plan to address the major issues in the implementation of the program.”

The franchise consolidation is a focal part of the PUVMP.

As the deadline had already lapsed, the LTFRB allowed drivers of “unconsolidated” jeepneys to continue plying routes only until the end of this month.

‘LTFRB unprepared’

For another lawmaker, the past LTFRB under the Duterte administration may have been partly to blame for the problems now besetting the PUVMP for jeepneys.

“The LTFRB is not really prepared for the PUVMP. They didn’t seem to know how they will implement the program; it seems that they didn’t have any consultation at all with the jeepney drivers and operators,” Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday also committed to drivers of traditional jeepneys that he would personally raise to Marcos their concerns regarding the PUVMP.

In a consultation meeting with jeepney drivers from various organizations, Romualdez said he does not want traditional jeepneys out of the roads as they have become a symbol of the country.

He said he would ask the LTFRB to review the program again and to look for better options for jeepney drivers.

“You have our support. Jeepneys should not be phased out... Rest assured, there is a Speaker that listens to you, and I will ask the LTFRB to extend (the PUVMP deadline), if possible,” Romualdez said.   – Delon Porcalla, Sheila Crisostomo