Speaker vows to inform Marcos of PUV drivers’ plight

 

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has assured public utility vehicle drivers and operators that he does not want jeepneys to be phased out, adding that he will inform President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of the complaints of the said sector regarding the PUV modernization program.

In a public consultation held at the House of Representatives complex on Wednesday, Romualdez was informed by jeepney drivers and operators who attended the committee on transportation’s hearing about their plight and concerns over the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and its consolidation requirement.

 “Sisiguraduhin ko po, bukas ng umaga, ako’y pupunta sa Malacañang, at ipapaabot (sa) ating mahal na Presidente ang inyong mga sinasabi ninyong mga problema na hinaharap ninyo at ‘yong kahirapan na mangyayari sa pag-implementasyon ng itong bagong batas, at ‘yong mga sinasabi ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” Romualdez said.

(I assure you, tomorrow morning, when I go to Malacañang, I will inform our President of the problems you raised and the issues you may face if this new policy is implemented, and the other requirements stated by the LTFRB.)

“Sasabihin ko sa’yo, ayaw kong mawala ang imahen ng ating jeepney, eh lahat naman tayo, mahal naman natin ang ating mga jeepney, ‘yan talaga ang imahen talaga ng ating Pilipinong (kultura), mas que saan sa kantang ‘Manila’ ‘di ba, ang mga jeepney, nasa mga kanta,” he added.

(I tell you, I myself do not want a phase out of our jeepneys, because we all love our jeepneys, that is the symbol of our Filipino culture, even in songs we have mentioned these jeepneys.)

Romualdez said he will also talk to LTFRB officials about the extension of the PUV modernization program’s consolidation requirement, and push for a transport system that would tap and help local companies producing modern jeepneys.

“Naiintindihan natin ‘yong mga sinasabi na international best practice, magkakaroon tayo ng mas efficient, mas magandang klase ng mga behikulo, pero kaya naman ng Pilipino, kaya rin ‘yan ng mga Pilipino — may Francisco, may Sarao, eh ‘di suportahan na lang natin ‘yan,” the Romualdez said.

 (I understand the need for international best practices, having more efficient, more economical and environmentally friendly vehicles, but I think Filipinos can do that too —  we have Francisco (Motors), Sarao, then why don’t we just support these companies.)

The House of Representatives, through the committee on transportation, is currently probing concerns about the PUV modernization program upon the instructions of Romualdez. 

Currently, the government is giving PUV operators and drivers until the end of the month to comply with the consolidation

Transport groups, however, said the consolidation program is disadvantageous to drivers since it prevents individual workers from owning their vehicles and controlling their income.