1 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules
Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan
PUJ unconsolidated now culorum
By J.Lo
"TRO petition is currently for deliberation by Court," Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said in text message there was no temporary restraining order (TRO) from SC as April 30 deadline lapsed for consolidation under public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).
TRO was sought by transport groups led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).
Without TRO, government can push through with implementation of PUVMP and consolidation deadline.
SC has so far asked respondents, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), to file their respective comments.
Deadline for consolidation of all passenger jeepneys into cooperatives or corporations had been extended from Dec. 31, 2023 to April 30 this year.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.had said there would no longer be any extension in connection with franchise consolidation under PUVMP.
Meanwhile, about 10,000 jeepneys nationwide will be deemed "colorum" public utility vehicles for non-compliance with consolidation deadline yesterday, according to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz said due process will be followed for colorum jeepneys, or units that do not have valid franchises, include around 600-700 jeepneys in Metro Manila alone.
LTFRB chief said that by the second week of May, they will tap the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to apprehend colorum operators.
Guadiz said they could face impoundment of their vehicles as well as around P50,000 in fines.
"Technically by April 30, those who did not join industry consolidation of jeepney modernization have already lost their franchise…if you are colorum, you are susceptible of being apprehended," he said at briefing.
Data from LTFRB showed total of 150,179 units nationwide have joined government program, comprise about 78.33 percent of total number of jeepney units.
Guadiz expect number to increase to nationwide consolidation rate of 80 or 82 percent once all of papers are processed.
As for Metro Manila, Guadiz said they anticipate reaching about 60 percent from low 54 percent consolidation rate by end-December.
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said DOTr and other concerned agencies should show effective implementation of PUVMP as drivers and operators of public utility vehicles are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to unemployment numbers.
"Amid obstacles such as costly capital investment of procuring modern jeepney, we want to know real number of drivers who have joined program those who will be left behind are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to our unemployment statistics woeful reality for Labor Day."
Transport groups said despite deadline, they will continue to ply streets.
PISTON secretary general Ruben Baylon said leeway given by LTFRB shows they are not set on fully implementing PUVMP.
Baylon will continue to press government to renew their franchises even if they have failed to consolidate.
"We have license and we will fight for our licenses... we have done everything so that our licenses will not be revoked," he added.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they will stage bigger transport strike if government fully implements apprehension against jeepneys.
As consolidation for public utility jeepneys ended, President Marcos ordered government agencies to expedite implementation of program that would encourage use of electronic vehicles (EV), especially for public transportation.
Marcos renewed his directive during sectoral meeting at Malacañang attended by officials of Departments of Energy (DOE), Trade and Industry and Science and Technology.
FMJ directed DOE and other agencies to focus on finding ways to lower cost of production, financing and charging infrastructure.
He also instructed agencies to focus on supporting acquisition of EVs by commercial fleets like government, private company cars and public transportation fleets, Malacañang said.
At Palace press briefing, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said three agencies , DOE, DTI and DOST briefed the President on implementation of Comprehensive Roadmap for Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).
As of 2023, there were only 7,000 or .001 percent EVs registered out of 14.3 million registered vehicles in the country, Fuentebella noted.
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