No PUVMP consolidation extension, LTFRB insists

MANILA, Philippines — The public utility vehicle modernization program’s franchise consolidation deadline will not be extended despite a Senate resolution calling for the suspension of the PUVMP implementation, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“There will be no extension. The President already ended it,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III reiterated yesterday.

The crackdown on colorum or illegal jeepneys is ongoing, Guadiz noted.

“The two-hectare land in Tarlac is almost occupied as we transport jeepneys that failed to join the consolidation (before the April 30 deadline),” he said.

“The PUVMP will continue. After the consolidation of jeepneys, we are working on route rationalization,” he added.

Guadiz said the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB are ready to implement the PUVMP.

“Our appeal is to allow us to finish the first stage of the program, which is industry consolidation,” he said.

At least 82 percent of transport groups have joined the PUVMP, according to Guadiz.

Transport groups supporting the PUVMP bewailed the lack of consultation after 22 senators signed a resolution asking President Marcos to suspend the program’s implementation.

“Why do they need to resort to that resolution when 82 percent of transport groups have joined the program?” Roberto Martin, president of the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburb Drivers Associations Nationwide Inc. asked.

Around 500 members of consolidated transport groups from Metro Manila, Rizal and Pangasinan held a “unity walk” yesterday against the Senate resolution.

Martin said Manibela and Piston are the only unconsolidated transport groups opposing the PUVMP.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said the PUVMP should be suspended to probe “the corruption in its implementation.”

Free rides were offered by Manibela to commuters affected by the unity walk from Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola, Manila. — Ghio Ong