Be considerate? LTFRB says modernization plan had been delayed to accommodate concerns

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday said it has already extended the courtesy to transport groups by delaying the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program to accommodate their issues and concerns.

LTFRB chief Joel Bolano issued the remark in response to Senator Joel Villanueva’s call for the agency to be “more considerate” given the recent pandemic and the current state of the economy.

Apart from being open to transport groups’ concerns, he said the LTFRB has been studying the implementation of the program to be able to help them with their needs in the move to modernize.

“We respect the comment but marami na ring issuances ang LTFRB at DOTr (Department of Transportation) tungkol sa modernization na patuloy na nage-extend na itong ating programa  upang pakinggan ‘yung kanilang issues and concerns,” Bolano said in a public briefing.

“Patuloy ding inaaral ng ahensya para kung saan lalong makakatulong ang ating gobyerno sa kanilang pangangailangan sa pag-comply sa modernization,” he said.

(The agency has also continuously studied the program to help transport groups with whatever they need to comply with the modernization.)

Transport groups’ earlier announced their plan to mount a weeklong strike beginning Monday, March 6, to protest the impending phase-out of traditional jeepneys in line with the PUV modernization program.

Senators also joined in the call to postpone the phaseout of traditional jeepneys on June 30.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier called for a dialogue with transport groups but this was shunned.

Bolano said the LTFRB and the DOTr remain open to having a dialogue to thresh out issues they may have on the program.

Both agencies are also expected to attend a Senate inquiry on Thursday on the issue.

JPV