The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday stood by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) decision to extend the deadline for the consolidation of public utility jeepney (PUJ) franchises until the end of 2023.
“Ang nakita ko nga po ay kailangang magkaroon ng consolidation at sa tingin ko kailangan magkaroon ng deadline hindi pwede maging open ended po ito,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told lawmakers during the Senate Committe on Public Services' hearing on the planned public utility vehicle - modernization program (PUV-MP).
“Kasi kung hindi tayo magbibigay ng deadline, eh walang susunod. Hindi po natin mai-implement itong ating PUV Modernization Program if we don’t impose deadlines,” he added.
Bautista also explained that the December 2023 deadline is not for the jeepney phase-out but for the consolidation of PUV operators and drivers by forming cooperatives or corporations.
“Pagkatapos ng consolidation, susunod po ‘yung round modernization. Pagkatapos niyan, pag uusapan natin ‘yung operations, kailangan sundin natin ‘yung schedules,” he said.
He also shared that he has conversed with many drivers, operators, and transport cooperatives regarding the importance of PUV-MP.
“Sa lahat ng mga nakausap ko, na-explain ko sa kanila ang importance ng program at sinusuportahan nila ‘yung program. Alam ko po na hindi siya perfect na program sa ngayon pero with a dialogue, with the right communication, mare-resolve natin ‘yung whatever or mga problems po na nakita natin,” Bautista said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the DOTr chief said he already ordered the LTFRB to “relax” or ease the requirements for the government’s PUV-MP to accommodate all transport operators and drivers.
"We are willing to bend backward, suggesting to the board of LTFRB to relax the requirements to enable drivers to adapt to the program," Bautista said.
The latest data from DOTr shows that there are 1,156 cooperatives, corporations, and other consolidated companies with consolidated franchises operating 98,801 PUJ units as of February 25, 2022.
About 406 consolidated entities are operating 14,289 franchised UV units.
