The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) clarified on Thursday, November 16, that there will be no phaseout of traditional jeepneys in the country after the set deadline for public utility jeepney (PUJ) franchise consolidation.
According to LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, traditional jeepneys will continue to be permitted even after December 31 of this year, as long as the consolidation is complete.
“Kailangan pong tapusin ang consolidation sa December 31. Ang hinihingi lang po namin sa kanila ay yung tinatawag na substantial compliance. Ibig sabihin, ‘pag kayo po ay nag-file at compliant na po kayo kahit hindi pa po tapos ay considered na po kayong consolidated, kaya po pwede po kayong tumakbo ng inyong ruta,” said Guadiz during a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.
While Guadiz also emphasized that there is no transport crisis in the country, he gave examples of why they would still allow traditional jeeneys after the scheduled deadline.
“To give you a hypothetical example, sa isang ruta 50 ang lumalayag na jeepneys, iyong 40 nag-consolidate so may sampu pa doon na hindi pa nagko-consolidate. Eh, ang kailangan mong jeep ay 50 so ‘yung sampu ‘yun, pwede pang bumyahe hanggang sa hindi natatapos ang consolidation ng 40. So what does that mean? Yes, technically hindi ka na puwedeng bumyahe pero to prevent a vacuum in certain areas, we will temporarily allow you hanggang hindi tapos ang consolidation ng 40." the LTFRB Chief said.
"The moment na natapos na ‘yon, and they are able to fill up the vacuum, iyong sampu, they will have to stop traversing the route. Ibig sabihin, hindi na po sila puwedeng bumyahe. So in sum, kapag iyong ruta mo ay consolidated na, mayroon nang mga tumatakbo, palagay ko po, you have to consolidate now or you have to stop plying your route,” he added.
Moreover, he also debunked reports that drivers will need to replace their units once they have complied with the consolidation.
“Hindi po totoo na within 3, 6, or 9 months ay kailangan ka na pong magbago ng unit, wala pong katotohanan ‘yon, pawang kasinungalingan po ‘yon,” Guadiz said.
Traditional jeepney operators and drivers were urged to maximize their allotted 27 months, as long as their vehicles are considered "roadworthy" by the LTO.
Based on LTFRB's record for October, 60% of PUJ and 70 percent of utility vehicles have been consolidated.
"So yung degree of acceptance po ay malaki na. So confident kami na maitatawid po natin itong modernization,” Guadiz remarked.
The LTFRB chairperson assured drivers and operators that they would have enough time to finish the consolidation process.
“Ang pakiusap lang po natin sa ating mga kababayang mga tsuper at mga operator na sana ho tayo’y magsama-sama. Ang akin pong battlecry always is wala pong iwanan. Hanggang tayo po ay tumutugon sa mga requirements ng gobyerno, aalalayan po namin kayo, sasamahan po namin kayo hanggang sa maitawid po natin itong modernisasyon,” he said.
