SENATORS welcomed yesterday the three-month extension given by President Marcos Jr. for the franchise consolidation of public utility vehicles, saying it will give the government more time to review the program.
In a text message to the media, Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Committee on Public Services, said the three-month extension should be utilized by the government to conduct a thorough review of the program and “better understand the defiance of some groups to it.”
She said among the issues the government should further study is the high cost of the modern jeepneys, which “has proven to be a big stumbling block to the rollout of modernization and should not be ignored.
“Reports of idle units and missed amortization payments by some consolidated groups must be looked into to see the viability of the program. Transport officials should also be open to low-cost alternatives such as rehabilitation of jeepneys that are roadworthy to make them environmentally compliant,” Poe said.
She said transport modernization is not entirely about consolidation “and throwing to the junkyard our iconic jeepneys.
“It should be about rejuvenating our transportation landscape to make it safer and more reliable to our commuters, and at the same time sustainable to our drivers and operators,” she added.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said the extension period should give more time for those who want to partner with the government to solve the worsening transportation problems and present reliable services to commuters.
“As I have consistently said, I am in full support of improving and modernizing the public transport system in the country. The extended deadline aligns with the government’s goal of facilitating a smoother transition for the sector and further ensures that the process is conducive to both operators and drivers,” Ejercito said.
Sen. Imee Marcos said the extension should not be limited to allowing jeepney drivers to consolidate and should be used to come up with better solutions to let the jeepney drivers and owners “continue with their livelihood.”
“Instead of the proposed phase-out, we need a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes the needs of all Filipinos. This possibly includes modernizing existing jeepneys, retrofitting with cleaner engines, promoting cleaner fuels, and improving safety standards,” Marcos said.
She said the government can also invest in infrastructures, expand and improve roads, bridges, and mass transit systems to address congestion and create a well-connected network.
Marcos said on the aspect of developing sustainable alternatives, the government can encourage the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, promote carpooling and cycling, use renewable fuels, and explore micro-mobility options.
CONSOLIDATION RATE
The PUV consolidation rate nationwide is expected to reach 85 percent by the end of the three-month extension period in April from the current consolidation rate of over 70 percent, according to the Department of Transportation.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has encouraged all unconsolidated PUVs nationwide to join and apply for consolidation before April 30 this year.
The current over 70 percent consolidation is more than enough to implement the program but it will be more successful if there are more PUVs joining the consolidation, according to Bautista.
In Metro Manila, the LTFRB said over 1,000 PUVs are expected to join the consolidation. — With Myla Iglesias
