MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reopened yesterday the consolidation process for operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys until Nov. 29.
The agency reopened the applications for consolidation for 45 days in response to the Senate’s resolution seeking to suspend the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), according to LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz.
Guadiz said PUV operators have only 45 days to join the PUVMP.
The LTFRB said unconsolidated PUV drivers and operators are only allowed to join existing cooperatives.
“More PUV operators applied for consolidation because of the benefits provided by the government,” he said.
Earlier, Guadiz said they aim to include members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide and Manibela in the PUVMP.
The government has achieved PUV consolidation rate of 83 percent, according to Guadiz.
In August, President Marcos rejected the senators’ call to suspend the PUVMP.
Fuel subsidy
Consolidated PUV drivers and operators will receive benefits such as P10,000 for fuel subsidy and P15,000 to P20,000 for service contracting under the government’s “libreng sakay” program.
The LTFRB said it started giving out fuel subsidy for transport workers last week.
The agency prioritized modern jeepneys, which will receive P10,000 in fuel subsidy. Traditional jeepneys will get P6,000.
Provincial and city buses will receive P10,000.
Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, Guadiz said all the funds would be downloaded to the LTFRB to ensure efficient provision of the handout.
Local government units and the Department of Information and Communications Technology have been tasked to issue the fuel subsidy for tricycles and delivery workers.