Senate to tackle bill seeking ‘just and humane’ PUV modernization

INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to tackle a bill that seeks a “just and humane” modernization for public utility vehicles (PUVs), Senator Grace Poe said Monday.

According to Poe, Senate Bill No. 867 which she had authored, will be discussed jointly by the Senate committee on public services and the committee on finance at 10:30 a.m. through videoconferencing.

“The roadworthy jeepneys deserve to be back on the streets. Our people need them to move around and be productive. They are our partners in the pandemic recovery,” Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement.

“As deemed fit by the government and in adherence to health protocols, the King of the Road should be able to ply their routes anew as safe and sound vehicles for the mobility of our riding public,” she added.

According to Poe, the Just and Humane Modernization Program under the bill will balance the need for a “safer, more environmentally sound public transport with the rights of those whose livelihood depends on this.”

Under the bill, jeepneys will only be required to replace their engines to make them Euro 4-compliant.

The government will also be tasked to provide financial assistance not less than 10 percent of the price per unit, according to Poe. She added that the interest rate on loan amortization should also not exceed four percent diminishing annual interest considering the nature of PUV services and that the loan amortization period will be for at least 15 years.

Meanwhile, Poe said a driver who can no longer take part in the PUV sector due to the modernization program will be given a reasonable amount of financial assistance to enable him to venture into other forms of livelihood, as proposed under the bill. — Liezelle Soriano Roy, Trainee