Government urged to run after colorum PUVs

CEBU, Philippines — The Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives (FCTC) has urged the government to run after the operators of traditional jeepneys using “unauthorized” franchises.

Ellen Maghanoy, FCTC chairperson and head of El Pardo Transport Cooperative, said these traditional jeepney operators are now considered colorum and are affecting the public transport modernization program of the government.

“Ang katong ubang traditional jeeps nga atong na-sub gipamaligya na sa mga tag-iya. Nahalin na unta ang traditional jeep ug na-drop na ang franchise. Pero bisan og na-drop na ang franchise, ila (ang nakapalit sa unit) gihapon gipadagan,” said Maghanoy.

The practice allegedly began when transport authorities allowed traditional jeeps to resume operations after the pandemic. Majority of traditional jeepneys plying Cebu’s streets are already considered “colorum” as the national government has already phased out their franchise.

However, Maghanoy lamented that traditional jeepney operators continue to operate due to the provisional authority granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

This is allegedly affecting the income of MPUV operators, their drivers and personnel, according to Priscilla Cabonita, operator of Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRASCO) and a member of FCTC board.

FCTC officials said that the cash flow supposedly generated from passenger fares diminished because of the competition of the old jeepneys that should have already been phased out.

The group said they trusted the government and supported the modernization program by investing in the air-conditioned buses, yet allowing the old jeepneys and tolerating the “colurum” units have affected their viability.

Roberto Orilla, FCTC vice chairman and head of the Pit-os Talamban Mandaue Transport Cooperative (PITMACO), said the practice also discourages other PUV operators to modernize.

FCTC has already sought a dialogue with LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in order to address the issue and has also asked the Cebu City Government to intervene and help fully realize the modernization program.

Enforcers of the two agencies are also urged to check the documents of traditional jeepney drivers, not only their official receipts (OR) and certificate of registration (CR) but also insurance coverage, to determine if their franchises are still active.

“Sa pagkakaron man gud, kasagaran ani nila (traditional jeeps) ang gikuptan kay provisional authorities. Gihangyo nato ang LTO nga kada inspection nila sa traditional jeeps, ila unta inspeksyonon ang passenger accident insurance ug ang OR ug CR,” Maghanoy said.

“Importante kaayo kung tukma ba ang iyang passenger accident insurance ug iyang provisional authorization. Tan-awn sad nila ang OR ug CR kung for hire o’ private ba ang ilang status,” she added.

 Maghanoy said she and her fellow MPUV operators in Cebu decided to come out in the open after the Senate issued a resolution calling for the suspension of the implementation of PUV modernization.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already junked the resolution and insisted on implementing the long overdue modernization of the country’s public transportation.  (CEBU NEWS)