SPEAKER Martin Romualdez yesterday ordered the House Committee on Transportation to look “into reports received by my office that corrupt practices may have tainted the conceptualization and planned implementation” of the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) or jeepney modernization program.
“The reports allege that existing transport officials are in cahoots with previous officials in negotiating for the imported modern jeepney units that will replace the old units,” he said in a statement.
He also urged the Department of Transportation (DOTR) to undertake a “complete review” and extend the implementation of the program, which the Speaker supports while calling for measures that would protect jeepney drivers.
“As we embrace progress and innovation, it is imperative that we address the need for modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport systems. The jeepney modernization program is not just about upgrading vehicles; it’s a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate our urban transportation landscape, making it safer, more reliable, and in tune with sustainable practices,” he said.
Romualdez called for measures to protect the livelihoods of jeepney drivers, including providing assistance as they shift to new vehicles, ensuring access to affordable financing options, and offering training programs to help them adapt to new technologies.
“Moreover, we are exploring avenues to provide fixed income opportunities for drivers. This move aims to stabilize their earnings, helping them to plan and secure their financial futures more effectively. We believe that a stable income will not only benefit the drivers but will also contribute to a more organized and reliable transport system,” he said.
GOVERNMENT HELP
The Marcos government is set to provide livelihood and skills development programs for public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers whose operators failed to consolidate individual franchises under cooperatives or corporations, an official of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) said yesterday.
Jesus Ferdinand “Andy” Ortega, who chairs the OTC, said in a news release that government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have allotted funds for livelihood and skills development programs that PUV drivers can avail of.
Ortega said the DOLE can provide livelihood and financial aid to start small businesses while TESDA provides short-term courses and skill training programs.
He said the government will also assist drivers who wish to join other operators who have already participated in the mandatory franchise consolidation.
“Our objective now is to give jeepney drivers, whose operators have not yet consolidated with cooperatives, to continue their jobs, so that they can move (on). The work continues but this time, it’s different. They will be members of the cooperative so that they can be given jobs,” he added.
The required franchise consolidation, a component in the government’s PUV modernization program (PUVMP), lapsed last December 31, 2023 but unconsolidated commuter jeepneys are still allowed to operate on selected routes until January 31, 2024.
The DOTr said many applied for franchise consolidation before the deadline but they have yet to pay the pertinent fees to be included in the consolidation.
The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) National Capital Region (NCR), in a briefing last December 29, said 33.21 percent of the PUVs plying 317 Metro Manila routes, or 13,893 units, have already joined a cooperative under the government’s PUV modernization program. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
