Gov’t urged to defer PUV modernization, address issues

(Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo/ Richard A. Reyes)

MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the House Committee on Transportation have appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R.Marcos Jr. to defer the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and the consolidation requirement until after issues surrounding it are addressed and resolved.

At the House committee hearing on transportation on Wednesday, committee chairperson and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, clarified that he and other lawmakers are not against modernization.  H

He pointed out that they have concerns about the possibility that jeepney drivers can no longer operate after January 31, while there are several issues hounding the program.

Santa Rosa City, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez suggested that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) first recalibrate the PUV modernization program.

“Mr. Chairman, I think the best thing to do right now is to recalibrate your (LTFRB) program, and listen to the people especially our drivers, at alam naman natin kapag nag-alburuto ang tiyan ng mga ‘yan ay talagang mahihirapan din ‘yong ating, may domino effect kasi ‘yan eh sa atin pong pamayanan,” Fernandez said.

(Mr. Chairman, I think the best thing to do right now is to recalibrate your (LTFRB) program and listen to the people, especially our drivers, and we know that if they go hungry, the government would also struggle because this has a domino effect in our communities.)

“I don’t know if we’re going to move for a resolution that will be requesting our President to cancel the deadline on January 31, not for long, but of course, to give leeway to our agency to adhere to the request and recommendation of this committee, Mr. Chair,” Fernandez added. 

Fernandez, after consulting with Acop, eventually formalized the motion, asking the committee secretariat to create a resolution asking Marcos to reconsider the deadline of the consolidation requirement.

After it was seconded, Acop clarified that the resolution would be crafted, but would only be approved during the next hearing — when more members are present to sign the document.

“I move that we request the President of this country to readjust, to reschedule the deadline on January 31, considering all the imperative revelations of all the events that we have discussed during this hearing, for the betterment of the government’s modernization program.  To make it more effective and consider the welfare of the Filipino drivers who will be directly affected by this deadline on January 31,” Fernandez said.

“Your Honor, the decision of the chair is to, shall we say, archive it for the moment simply because we do not have the required number of members who will approve the said motion.  So in the next hearing, the resolution will be prepared to be approved by the members in the next hearing,” Acop replied, to which Fernandez agreed.

During the hearing, several complaints of jeepney drivers and operators were heard, including the expensive modern jeepneys. 

At one point,  1-Rider party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita warned that drivers would need to earn around P6,000 to P7,000 a day if they would acquire modern jeepneys that cost P1.6 million to P2.4 million — even with the government’s subsidy considered.

Bosita said that LTFRB should also consider how much jeepney fares would rise because drivers and operators need to find ways to pay off their loans.  Based on his computations, base fares may rise between P30 to P40 from the current P15.

The House of RepresentativesThe House is probing the PUV modernization program upon the instructions of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who raised concerns about drivers’ and operators’ allegations of corruption within the initiative.