No TRO as PUJ consolidation deadline lapses

MANILA, Philippines — There was no temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court as the April 30 deadline lapsed for consolidation under the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The TRO was sought by transport groups led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).

“The TRO petition is currently for deliberation by the Court,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said in a text message yesterday.

Without a TRO, the government can push through with the implementation of the PUVMP and the consolidation deadline.

The SC has so far asked the respondents, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), to file their respective comments.

The deadline for the consolidation of all passenger jeepneys into cooperatives or corporations had been extended from Dec. 31, 2023 to April 30 this year.

President Marcos had said there would no longer be any extension in connection with the franchise consolidation under PUVMP.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 jeepneys nationwide will be deemed “colorum” public utility vehicles for non-compliance with the consolidation deadline yesterday, according to the LTFRB.

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz said due process will be followed for colorum jeepneys, or units that do not have valid franchises, which include around 600-700 jeepneys in Metro Manila alone.

The LTFRB chief said that by the second week of May, they will tap the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to apprehend colorum operators.

Guadiz said they could face impoundment of their vehicles as well as around P50,000 in fines.

“Technically by April 30, those who did not join the industry consolidation of the jeepney modernization have already lost their franchise. If you are colorum, you are susceptible of being apprehended,” he said at a briefing.

Data from the LTFRB showed that there are a total of 150,179 units nationwide that have joined the government program, which comprise about 78.33 percent of the total number of jeepney units.

Guadiz said they expect the number to increase to a nationwide consolidation rate of 80 or 82 percent once all of the papers are processed.

As for Metro Manila, Guadiz said they anticipate reaching about 60 percent from the low 54 percent consolidation rate by end-December.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said the DOTr and other concerned agencies should show effective implementation of the PUVMP as drivers and operators of public utility vehicles are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to unemployment numbers.

“Amid obstacles such as the costly capital investment of procuring the modern jeepney, we want to know the real number of drivers who have joined the program,” Poe said. “Those who will be left behind are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to our unemployment statistics – a woeful reality for Labor Day.”

Transport groups said that despite the deadline, they will continue to ply the streets.

PISTON secretary general Ruben Baylon said the leeway given by the LTFRB shows that they are not set on fully implementing the PUVMP.

Baylon said they will continue to press the government to renew their franchises even if they have failed to consolidate.

“We have a license and we will fight for our licenses. We have done everything so that our licenses will not be revoked,” he added.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they will stage a bigger transport strike if the government fully implements apprehension against jeepneys.

Electronic vehicles

As the consolidation for public utility jeepneys ended yesterday, President Marcos ordered government agencies to expedite the implementation of a program that would encourage the use of electronic vehicles (EV), especially for public transportation.

Marcos renewed his directive during a sectoral meeting at Malacañang attended by officials of the Departments of Energy (DOE), Trade and Industry and Science and Technology.

The President directed the DOE and other agencies to focus on finding ways to lower the cost of production, financing and charging infrastructure.

He also instructed the agencies to focus on supporting the acquisition of EVs by commercial fleets like government, private company cars and public transportation fleets, Malacañang said.

At a Palace press briefing, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the three agencies – DOE, DTI and DOST – briefed the President on the implementation of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).

As of 2023, there were only 7,000 or .001 percent EVs registered out of the 14.3 million registered vehicles in the country, Fuentebella noted. — Romina Cabrera, Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe