Transport groups want PUVMP deadline removed
By J.Lo
"Modernization is not just about consolidation and throwing to the junkyard our iconic jeepneys. .. 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," Senator Grace Poe saidtransport groups yesterday lauded the three-month extension of the deadline for the public utility vehicle modernization program, but said they preferred to see the PUVMP deadline lifted.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said that while they welcome the extension, they want the government to remove all deadlines and to review the modernization policies.
The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide said the extension is not enough and the group would continue to fight to keep jeepneys on the streets.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would heed President Marcos' order to extend the consolidation deadline for the PUVMP until April 30.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz urged operators and drivers "to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President."
But Senators Grace Poe, Imee Marcos and JV Ejercito welcomed the extension as they urged the affected sector to use the time to look for better solutions to the problem.
She cited the hefty price tag of modern units and "reports of idle units and missed amortization payments" by the consolidated groups as among the problems the PUVMP faces.
Marcos lauded the administration of her brother for listening to her earlier call to give the jeepney operators and drivers a reprieve.
"This is a good step in the right direction. However, this additional time should be used not only to allow jeepney drivers to consolidate. This period should be used to come up with a better solution to allow our jeepney drivers and owners to continue with their livelihood," Marcos said.
Ejercito, in welcoming the extension, said the three months should allow for "more time for those who want to partner with the government to solve worsening transportation problems and offer reliable services to Filipino commuters."
According to LTFRB, 313 routes within the National Capital Region do not have any consolidated transport service entity. It also noted that only 238 routes in Metro Manila have a consolidation rate of more than 60 percent and that 306 rates had less than 60 percent consolidation rate.
Over 38,000 jeepneys could be taken off the roads and will be deemed as illegally operating PUVs if the deadline was not extended.
But if it were up to Speaker Martin Romualdez, he would rather keep the decades-long image of diesel-fed engine jeepneys as a classic icon of the Philippines' public transport system, amid efforts of the government to modernize them.
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