The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday, Dec. 15, loosened the consolidation requirements of jeepney drivers and operators in joining cooperatives or corporations under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary and Spokesman Timothy John Batan said the LTFRB and transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) settled to have less strict requirements of consolidation.

“Sa ngayon po ang kailangan na lang isumite ng unconsolidated operators ay tatlong dokumento na lang po. Ang latest na OR-CR ng kanilang saakyan, ang registration document ng kooperatiba na kanilang sasaniban o bubuuin, at ang attestation na sila ay sasali sa kooperatibe na ‘yun,” Usec. Batan said in an interview.

Batan added that at least two to three transport cooperatives would be allowed to ply on routes with a larger number of passengers.

The agency also issued a memorandum that waives any penalties incurred for those who failed to submit their requirements from 2020 to 2022 and lowered the minimum number of units to consolidate to 10 from 15.

Despite this, Batan said they would remain firm on the Dec. 31 consolidation deadline as announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Lahat ng ito ay ang tugon po natin sa direktiba ng Pangulo na nagsabi na hindi na ii-extend, hindi na natin palalawigin pa ang deadline para sa consolidation sa December 31 at nang sa ganoon ang kapakanan ng mas nakakarami na atin pong nais benepisyuhan dito sa ating programa ay hindi na maantala dahil sa iilan,” he said.

He also underscored that modernizing jeepney units would be implemented two to three years after the consolidation.

“Meron na pong nakahandang pamamaraan ang LTFRB tulad ng pag-issue ng special permit sa mga consolidated operators ng jeep o bus para po sigurado na patuloy na mayroong tatakbo sa ating mga lansang itong January 1,” Batan added.