Gov’t urged to give drivers easy financing for new PUVs

COSTLY These new jeepneys have features that included air-conditioning but are likely to be too expensive for current drivers and operators.—PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, a senatorial candidate of the Duterte administration, sought help for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators to ease their transition into the Duterte administration’s PUV modernization program.

In a statement, Marcos proposed liberal financing options to include soft loans and moratorium on loan payments for at least a year.

She also proposed trade-in options to allow drivers and operators to get value for their old vehicles.

Marcos expressed support for phasing out old PUVs to ease traffic in Metro Manila and improve air quality.

But implementation, she said, “must be done with a compassionate view on the welfare of PUV drivers and operators.”

She said the modernization program must address two issues—public safety and welfare of PUV drivers and operators.

The first, she said, had been already addressed by the availability of more efficient and eco-friendly PUVs.

The second, however, remained to be addressed by the government.

She said the high costs of new PUVs make the vehicles beyond the reach of drivers and operators.

The current P80,000 grant on top of P5,000 in fuel subsidy and fixed salaries for drivers were insufficient to help them pay for a brand-new jeepney that costs between P1.4 million and P2.1 million.

“The government must lighten the burden,” Marcos said.