Coalition seeks abolition of compulsory jeepney consolidation

ILOILO City – The “No to PUV Phase-out Coalition” is demanding the scrapping of compulsory consolidation of public utility jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program ( PUVMP) of the national government.

Extending the deadline for consolidation to April 30 of this year is not enough, according to Elmer Forro, coalition chief.

The original deadline was Dec. 31, 2023 but according to Atty. Salvador“Jun” Altura, legal counsel and spokesperson for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the other day a three-month extension after previously rejecting calls to extend the deadline.

Unimpressed, the “No to PUV Phase- out Coalition”, comprising cause- oriented groups and individual j eepney operators and drivers, called for a thorough reassessment of the PUVMP. They cited the financial burden on operators and drivers in acquiring modernized jeepneys and concerns over alleged scandals within cooperatives.

Forro also highlighted issues with the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), a component of the PUVMP implemented by the city government, criticizing the lack of proper consultation with operators, drivers, commuters, and stakeholders.

According to Forro, the extension was a result of ongoing protests by the transport sector nationwide and current congressional investigations into cooperative scandals.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil announced the President’s decision, noting that the additional three months aim to provide an opportunity for those interested in consolidation.

As of the latest reports, 145,721 units, or 76 percent of PUVs and utility vehicle ( UV) expresses, have successfully consolidated.

The LTFRB adv i s es that unconsolidated PUVs had until Jan. 31, 2024 to operate if they failed to join cooperatives by the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline. The government’s PUV Modernization Program seeks to organize operators and drivers into cooperatives or corporations, upgrading to a fleet of low-emission, safe, and efficient PUV units./