DRIVERS ‘NO CHOICE’ BUT TO MODERNIZE

A PUJ operator says she is left with no choice but to abide by the government program for her to continue the family’s business

Various Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers in Cebu City claim they have “no choice” but to bear with the government-proposed PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) in order to sustain livelihood.

Laurencia Colon, 46, PUJ operator for almost eight years, said though she feared she will be at the disadvantage with the new transport system, she is left with no choice but to abide for her to continue her family’s business.

“It’s sad. It’s very sad that we are not allowed not to avail of the program. Right now, my business is already established. I am assured of the income. Now, I’m worried that this initiative of the government would just affect our income. It’s even the first time that I attended a forum like this because previously I’m really against it,” she said in Cebuano.

Colon said she has no choice but to follow government because she will still lose income if her other vehicles will be left idle. “We will just accept the P80,000 subsidy,” she said.

Chamel Jayson, 41, jeepney driver for 21 years, said he is slowly accepting the new transport concept.

“I had no knowledge about the program before so I thought they will do something with our unit. But now I would like to think that this (modernization program) is good because there will be no more snatchers. Although, I don’t know if the income will be stable especially that it’s a new unit,” he said in Cebuano.

Vitaliano Solano Jr., 61, taxi operator for almost 30 years has accepted his fate. “It’s okey. There is nothing we can do now because that is already government’s program. There is also nothing you can do if you will not follow.”

Around 130 PUV drivers and operators attended the Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s forum on PUV modernization program on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Cebu Business Hotel.

Invited to speak during the forum were representatives from the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and from the Department of Transportation (DOTr.)

The LTFRB launched PUVMP or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance on 2017.

Under this program, old model of jeepneys aged 15 years or older will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-run jeepneys to promote ‘safer and more comfortable’ transport options. /