Marcos: No more extension for PUV consolidation

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no more extension of the franchise consolidation under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) after April 30, President Marcos said yesterday.

At the government-organized town hall meeting on traffic concerns in San Juan City, the President stressed the urgent need to implement the PUV modernization program.

“You can expect that there will be no more extension of modernization. We really need that,” the President said in Filipino when asked by a transport group leader about the intervention on colorum or those jeepneys operating without a franchise or permit from the government.

Marcos approved a three-month extension last January to give an opportunity to those who want to consolidate.

Jeepney operators and drivers have only until April 30 to consolidate into a cooperative or a corporation, the first step of the PUV modernization program.

Marcos said the government is trying to make the system well-organized so as not to impose an additional burden on the drivers.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who was among the Cabinet members present at the town hall, said they expect improved efficiency in jeepney services with the consolidation system.

“The operations of our jeepneys will be efficient because they will have the right fleet management, the right dispatch system, and they will follow the right standards to keep our passengers safe and comfortable,” Bautista said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier said the operators of 190,000 PUVs, comprised of UV Express vehicles, public utility jeepneys, mini-buses and buses, have consolidated.

Colorum crackdown

To address the illegal operation of vehicles without the necessary permits or authorization, Marcos ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intensify law enforcement.

“I’m not aware that 30 percent of (jeepneys) operating are colorum. I will now pass the problem to the DILG secretary because the police will enforce that and make sure that they have the correct franchise, that they are part of the cooperative,” he said, referring to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who also joined the forum.

Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza said the LTO is in talks with other law enforcement agencies to implement a more aggressive crackdown on colorum PUVs.

The LTO is also coordinating with port authorities to stop the inter-island travel of colorum vehicles, he said.

Mendoza warned operators of colorum PUVs that they face up to six years in prison and a fine of up to P2 million if they are found guilty. — Romina Cabrera