Transport group to ply routes while awaiting SC ruling

MANILA, Philippines —  Transport group Manibela said it will continue operations despite non-compliance with the consolidation requirement under the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they are still waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court (SC), thus they will continue to ply the streets.

The transport group said they are only defending their right to make a living that is being prejudiced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

They noted that traditional jeepneys are still roadworthy and that their franchises should be given back by the LTFRB.

The group said they have observed lack of jeepneys and options for commuters since the start of the year due to the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation.

The LTFRB and DOTr have yet to release data on consolidation and the affected routes despite the yearend deadline.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III joined the call for the government to defer the program to allow stakeholders to collaboratively iron out pertinent issues surrounding the PUVMP.

Pimentel agreed that several issues about PUVs consolidation remain unresolved, like the establishment of cooperatives among jeepney drivers and operators and the jeepney routes.

“So suspend indefinitely (the PUVs consolidation). They can say that they will resume it after a certain number of months if they have fixed all the details,” he noted.

Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) yesterday asked the SC to stop the implementation and ultimately void certain government orders related to the PUVMP.

Piston filed a petition for certiorari and injunction questioning the legality of the Dec. 31 deadline set for the PUVMP, and also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent its implementation until the petition is resolved.

The group also asked the SC to declare the order formalizing the modernization plan and circulars for the consolidation as null and void.

The LTFRB earlier gave assurance that there will be no transport crisis and that some reprieve has been given to unconsolidated PUVs.

Unconsolidated units will be allowed to continue operations for routes with less than 60 percent rate or those with no consolidated transport service entities.

However, the provisional authority and franchise of individual operators in routes that have more than a 60 percent consolidation rate shall be revoked and they will no longer be allowed to operate under memorandum circular 2023-052.

Minibus supplier

Pimentel said his office will also write to the DOTr to know the identity or identities of the supplier of the minibus which will replace the iconic jeepney as part of the PUVMP.

He noted that the “program imposed by the government… should have undergone public bidding, giving the best terms for those who will avail of the program.”

“We have seen the weakness of the program. What is the accusation of the people? If there is no bidding, the people would think the supplier is pre-arranged. That is why there is public bidding,” Pimentel added.

He pointed out that under the PUVMP, jeepney drivers and operators cannot even choose to retain the jeepney.

“From the looks of it, it was a minibus. They already know it will be loaned, there will be monthly amortization, therefore they already know the cost of the unit. Where does it come from? Who is the supplier?” he said.– Cecille Suerte Felipe