Visayas groups urge gov’t to push thru with PUV modernization program

DN PHOTO / JUNJIE MENDOZA

TACLOBAN CITY — Transport groups in parts of the Visayas are against the Senate move to suspend the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

In Eastern Visayas, transport groups appealed to President Marcos Jr. and the 22 senators not to cancel the PUVMP.

In Bacolod City, a transport caravan was held on Monday, Aug. 5, against attempts to defer the PUVMP.

Calrix Jose, president of the Liga ng mga Transport Operators ng Pilipinas in Eastern Visayas, said they found the decision of the Senate unfair, especially after operators complied with the requirements to modernize their vehicles.

READ: Marcos thumbs down Senate calls to suspend PUV modernization 

“We followed the law to modernize our public transport. We have secured bank loans and continue to pay them,” he said on Monday.

He said all their members, comprising more than 10 transport cooperatives with about 150 buses, had secured loans, running into millions of pesos to buy modern buses and jeepneys.

The Central Tacloban Transport Cooperative (CTTC) secured P36 million from the bank to buy 18 Euro4 vehicles, plying Tcloban streets, Jose said.

“We have to repay our loans in the next four years. How can we repay the loan if our 22 senators will stop the modernization program,” said Jose, a board director of the CTTC.

“We appeal to our 22 senators and President Marcos not to continue their move to cancel the PUV (public utility vehicle) modernization program. It will result in big losses to us,” he added.

READ: Look Through: The future of traditional jeepneys and its drivers

Lawyer Gil Mengullo, legal officer of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Eastern Visayas, said they continued to support the PUVMP.

“We are with our transport operators on the modernization plan. They deserve help from our government as this will help our public transportation system,” he said.

Around 96 percent or more than 3,400 public utility vehicles in the region have complied with the modernization plan, the LTFRB said.

The 22 senators, led by Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the public services at the Senate, signed a resolution on July 29 calling to defer the modernization program.

READ: 22 senators want PUV modernization program put on hold

“While the PUVMP is integral to the traffic management solution, there is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the program to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation,” the senators said in the resolution.

“There is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the impact of the program, to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation,” the resolution read.

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Cora Ocalinas, Bacolod Modernized Jeepney Transport Association secretary, said solutions, not the suspension of the PUVMP, were needed.

About 75 percent complied with the jeepney modernization program in Bacolod City.

“I feel the jeepney modernization program is the answer to strengthen transportation not just in Bacolod but in the whole Philippines,” said Councilor Al Victor Espino.