Senators seek delay in phaseout of traditional jeepneys

MANILA – The Senate unanimously adopted on Tuesday the resolution filed by Senator Grace Poe urging the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to postpone the June 30 deadline on phasing out of traditional jeepneys as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

All 24 senators were made co-authors in Senate Resolution No. 44. A public hearing is scheduled on Thursday.

Traditional jeepney operators and drivers have announced a weeklong strike starting March 6 to protest the phaseout.

“The LTFRB should be reminded that jeepney drivers do not have deep pockets. The most recent study estimates that their average daily takehome pay is a meager PHP755,” Poe said in a statement.

Poe, who chairs the Committee on Public Services, also asked Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to propose a solution addressing the forthcoming transport strike.

Poe likewise urged the DOTr and LTFRB to submit an update on the PUVMP, specifying the timeline and achievable targets.

On the sidelines of the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023 at the Manila Hotel, Bautista said they would meet with with Mar Valbuena, chairperson of transport group Manibela.

“We expect that Secretary

Bautista himself will participate and personally meet with the various transport groups ASAP and hear their concerns,” she said. “Hopefully, the DOTr and Secretary Bautista can propose a solution that can avert the impending transport strike.”

According to Poe, around 50,000 traditional jeepneys will be affected if the LTFRB proceeds with the phaseout.

The transport strike, meanwhile, will result in at least 40,000 jeepneys off the streets.

“We owe it to our people to provide them with a safe, reliable and adequate transport system,” Poe added.

In a previous statement, LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano has committed to assist small operators of traditional jeepneys, like setting up cooperatives and corporations to make it easier to shift to modern types.

The assistance, Bolano said, will be through the Office of the Transport Cooperative.

The PUVMP calls for a “restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably,” according to the LTFRB. ■