1-5-2024 (MANILA) As the clock ticks down to the April 30, 2024 deadline for the consolidation phase of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program, public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators across the country are making a last-minute dash to comply with government regulations.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) offices witnessed a flurry of activity on Tuesday, as operators sought to beat the cutoff date for consolidation. LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III expressed confidence in the government’s ability to achieve a consolidation rate of 79 to 80 percent nationwide.
“Last night, based on our count, we have increased by 8,250 units, bringing the total to about 158,000. From the previous mark of 76%, we are confident that we will breach the targeted 79 to 80 percent of the entire public utility jeepney fleet in the Philippines,” Guadiz told ABS-CBN News.
Among the throngs at the LTFRB-NCR were Bert Yangco and Ramil Rodriguez, representing the sentiments of many operators grappling with the transition.
“We studied the consolidation carefully… We saw that the program was acceptable. We need to comply with the government; we cannot go against it,” Yangco remarked.
“We really didn’t want to consolidate… Because it goes against the law – it’s the operator’s property, why should it be taken? It’s against the law, but we were forced to do it because of the memorandum issued by the LTFRB stating that if you don’t consolidate, you can’t operate,” Rodriguez explained.
LTFRB-NCR reported a consolidation rate of 57.71 percent in Metro Manila alone as of April 29, comprising 28,621 PUJ and UV express units out of the total 49,593.
With the consolidation deadline looming, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured affected drivers and operators of support programs for those who chose not to participate.
“Two government agencies will assist those affected… The Department of Labor will provide entrepreneurship programs, giving them capital. Meanwhile, through TESDA, we have the ‘tsuper scholar’ program. They will be taught alternative means of earning a living. We are also in talks with the DSWD to extend assistance to affected drivers,” explained Usec. Andy Ortega.
LTFRB assured stakeholders that due process will be followed before deciding on the fate of those who did not join the consolidation.
“We will give them 5 days to answer. If there is no merit in their response, we will cancel their franchise by the second week – that’s when the crackdown begins,” Guadiz stated.
Penalties await operators of unconsolidated units, with fines up to P50,000 and license suspensions for drivers deemed to be operating colorum vehicles. As the deadline passes, the industry braces for the dawn of a new era in public transportation.
